Darren Aronofsky’s New AI Series About the Revolutionary War Looks Like Dogshit
A new series of short videos, produced with the involvement of director Darren Aronofsky, is drawing criticism for its apparent reliance on artificial intelligence. While Aronofsky is known for films like Black Swan, Mother!, Noah, and The Wrestler, initial reactions to this project suggest a significant departure in quality.
AI and the Entertainment Industry
The series employs voice actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a move that appears intended to preempt criticism regarding the use of AI in content creation. The entertainment industry has voiced strong concerns about AI potentially displacing human artists and actors, citing both job security and the overall quality of creative work.
Early Episodes and Technical Issues
The first episode, “The Flag,” is three-and-a-half minutes long and recounts the story of George Washington raising the Continental Union Flag. The second episode, “Common Sense,” focuses on Thomas Paine writing Common Sense, featuring an appearance by Benjamin Franklin.
Critics have noted a lack of compelling narrative in both episodes, describing them as disjointed and visually unappealing. A recurring issue is the poor synchronization between the actors’ audio and the AI-generated visuals, likened to the dubbing issues found in some 1960s Spaghetti Westerns.
Social Media Reaction
The videos have been met with widespread derision on social media platforms. One X user described the project as “AI slop,” while another joked about a connection to Aronofsky’s previous casting choices. Users have also pointed out specific visual anomalies, such as strangely deformed hands and errors in text, including a misspelling of “America” as “Λamereedd” in the trailer (trailer).
As of the time of writing, the first episode has garnered approximately 5,000 views on Time’s YouTube channel, while the second has received a little over 2,000. However, social media posts mocking the production are receiving significantly more engagement, with one Bluesky video accumulating over 2,500 quote posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the series about?
The series attempts to depict historical events related to the founding of the United States, including George Washington raising the Continental Union Flag and Thomas Paine writing Common Sense.
What are the main criticisms of the series?
The series is being criticized for its poor visual quality, disjointed narratives, and apparent reliance on low-effort artificial intelligence. Specific issues include mismatched audio and visual anomalies.
How have people reacted to the series?
Social media users have largely reacted negatively, with many expressing disappointment and making fun of the series’ technical flaws and overall quality.
It is possible that the producers may attempt to address the technical issues and narrative shortcomings. It is also likely that the controversy will fuel further debate about the role of AI in the entertainment industry and the importance of human artistry. The future of the project remains uncertain, and it could be discontinued if the negative reception continues.