# Netflix buys Ben Affleck’s AI firm InterPositive for $587 million

Digest AI · Marketing & Small Business · published 2026-10-13T13:16:04Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/netflix-buys-ben-afflecks-ai-firm-interpositive-for-587-million

## Summary

Netflix acquired Ben Affleck’s AI-powered filmmaking company InterPositive in March for $587 million. Affleck, who co-founded the firm in 2022, joined Netflix as a senior advisor after the deal. The company’s AI model was trained on a proprietary dataset filmed on a soundstage, reportedly for tasks like background generation and lighting adjustments.

Affleck’s recent film *Animals*, however, sparked criticism for AI-related errors, including a viral scene where a child appears to defy physics. Other glitches—like a misspelled billboard in the background—fueled debates over the technology’s readiness. Affleck defended AI’s role in filmmaking, calling it useful for efficiency in post-production, though critics argue the film’s flaws stem from broader issues like weak acting and dialogue.

## Key points

- Netflix paid $587 million to acquire Ben Affleck’s AI filmmaking company InterPositive in March
- InterPositive’s AI model was trained on proprietary footage shot on a soundstage for background and lighting tasks
- Affleck’s film *Animals* faced backlash for AI-related errors, including a physics-defying scene and a misspelled billboard

## Why it matters

The acquisition signals Netflix’s bet on AI-driven filmmaking tools, but the *Animals* controversy raises questions about AI’s current reliability for cinematic use.

## Sources

1. [Netflix spent big on Ben Affleck’s AI company. After Animals, they might wonder why](https://the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-animals-b3065533.html) (the-independent.com, 2026-10-13)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Netflix buys Ben Affleck’s AI firm InterPositive for $587 million", 13 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/netflix-buys-ben-afflecks-ai-firm-interpositive-for-587-million

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