Summary
Late Night With The Devil comes under fire for its AI usage
The emergence of AI in the film industry has become a widely discussed topic in film circles over the last few months and it’s become both more interesting, yet increasingly worrying.
Throwback horror, Late Night with the Devil, has become the target of massive online criticism. The film came under controversy for its use of AI in transitional stills for the films in-world TV show. The directors even confessed to its use in interviews saying, “we experimented with AI for three still images which we edited further and ultimately [appeared] as very brief interstitials in the film”.
“The impact on the industry could be catastrophic”
The film has garnered much critical acclaim and been highlighted as one of the best horror films of the year so far. Yet many have decided to forgo viewing it either altogether or are waiting until it is eventually picked up by a streaming service. So as not to individually pay to watch.
If an independent film such as Late Night with the Devil finds it acceptable to ‘experiment’ with and use AI, the impact on the industry could be catastrophic. Already, OpenAI has stated it wants to break into the filmmaking world. As they schedule meetings with Hollywood studios and executives to encourage filmmakers to use new AI video generator, Sora. If people are happy to pay to watch an independent film with AI usage, then why wouldn’t Hollywood try and cut corners and attempt to integrate it too?
“Hollywood will favour it over real human artists”
Visual effects artists and designers who already face terrible working conditions will have to fight for the little jobs remaining once AI becomes a very real threat to their use. If AI can generate high-quality footage and art at a cheap price, then Hollywood producers will favour it over real human artists.
Just recently, an AI-generated video won an online Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon animation contest. Judges included Nick Mason, director Terry Gilliam and former BBC creative director Alan Yentob and the prize was £10,000. Winner, Any Colour You Like, immediately came under fire for being AI generated, with fans deeming it “soulless” and exclaiming “are you f-cking serious!?” Clearly people aren’t very excited about AI.
While it may eventually become a lousy corner-cutting tool, AI works, as they currently stand, cannot replicate that of real human artists. Fans were able to discern Late Night with the Devil’s AI use very quickly and it didn’t take long for discussion to start up. AI art often lacks details – missing fingers, too many fingers, and in one recent AI photo, a horse with no legs.
We need to warn Hollywood studios that we won’t accept AI before it continues to escalate and before we can’t tell the difference. Just a year or two ago, nobody would’ve believed how far AI can go.
That’s why I’m boycotting Late Night with the Devil and the reason you should too.
Featured Image Credit: IFC Films
He/Him
Arts Editor 24/25
Press email: arts@brignews.com
