Netflix has been quite clear in its latest call with investors: the first scene in an original production created entirely with generative AI is already on screen. This is a shocking moment in “El Eternauta”, the Argentine science fiction series that became an international success since its premiere. According to Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of the platform, the scene of the collapse of a building in Buenos Aires was generated using AI, and most surprisingly, it was completed ten times faster and at a much lower cost than with traditional visual effects.

For those following the evolution of "El Eternauta" (released on April 30, 2025), this confirmation marks a before and after: not only is it post-apocalyptic cinema with toxic snow and suspense, but also Netflix's first real experiment with generative AI for final VFX.

How the collapse scene was made: AI to the rescue of Buenos Aires

In the scene, you can see how a building collapses amidst bursts of debris and toxic dust. The creators entered a series of instructions into an AI-powered video generator, integrated into the workflow of Eyeline Studios, Netflix's in-house production unit. The result is fluid, realistic, and surprisingly intense for something that had never seen a crane set or physical models. Sarandos highlighted that this innovation allowed for cost savings that would otherwise have made such an ambitious sequence unfeasible for a series with a mid-range budget, around $15 million. The technology was able to replicate complex physical dynamics without the need for a huge team of VFX artists working for weeks.

The early benefits were felt in time and money, but also in creative flexibility. By generating quick versions, the team was able to adjust angles, intensity of destruction, and visual composition without redoing everything from scratch.

Mixed reactions: Advance or threat?

Netflix paints a rosy picture: AI is a tool to improve storytelling,not replace artists, Sarandos said, stressing that “it’s real people doing real work with better tools.†His message: this technology can democratize advanced VFX, taking them from blockbusters to more modest projects.

But not everyone is buying the pitch. In Hollywood, unions like IATSE, SAG’AFTRA, and the Writers Guild are raising their voices: concern about the displaceability of visual effects artists was rekindled after strikes in 2023.

The debate doesn’t just cross the lights of Hollywood; It also touches on the ethics of using data to train algorithms and how these scenes are labeled for viewers.

What does this mean for the future of film and TV?

The case of "El Eternauta" could mark a turning point. Companies like Netflix are already integrating AI into conversational search ("something fun and energetic") and personalized advertising. Now, with AI-generated content already on screen, many production companies could follow in their footsteps on mid- or low-end projects.

From a creative standpoint, AI:

But as a whole, it also creates tensions: where does the craftsmanship fit in? How are the revenues saved by reduced costs distributed? Who controls the privacy of the data used to train models?