Artificial intelligence in media is a very controversial topic, with many people opposing its use because it often relies on work created by artists and writers without their permission. When a large company like Netflix starts using AI, especially in popular genres like true crime, it’s bound to spark strong reactions.
I recently watched The Investigation of Lucy Letby, and it’s a truly disturbing documentary about the horrific crimes committed by Lucy Letby, a nurse who harmed so many babies. What’s really interesting is that it includes footage and stories we haven’t seen before, giving a new look at the case. However, I – and a lot of other viewers – was really thrown off by the use of AI to recreate conversations. It just felt… unsettling, and made it hard to fully trust what the AI was ‘saying,’ even if it was based on the facts. It honestly detracted from the impact of an already incredibly sad story.
Nothing Good Came Of Netflix Using AI
People online are strongly criticizing Netflix’s decision to use AI to recreate individuals in its documentary, The Investigation of Lucy Letby. Negative reviews are appearing on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, and discussions on Reddit are filled with disapproval. One Reddit user suggested simpler methods like altering voices and using silhouettes instead of AI, arguing it would be more respectful and less expensive. Others are urging viewers to actively dislike or report the show as a way to protest the use of AI, fearing Netflix is testing the boundaries of what’s acceptable.
Most viewers agreed that the AI used in the documentary, aside from the ethical concerns, severely detracted from the experience. It made the victims’ powerful statements feel staged rather than authentic, which is crucial for impactful anonymous interviews in documentaries. As one viewer put it, Netflix seemed to prioritize the visual appearance of the interviewees – their hair, lips, and lighting – recreating these details with AI when they weren’t essential. The attempt to use AI avatars to enhance the meaning actually had the opposite effect, turning the documentary into something resembling a sensationalized tabloid story.
The reaction on Rotten Tomatoes has been overwhelmingly negative, with many viewers strongly opposing the use of AI in film and TV. They feel it doesn’t belong in these creative fields. One viewer expressed concern that the AI made it difficult to trust the authenticity of the interviews, questioning whether the people being interviewed were even real.
Overall, Netflix seems to have missed the mark with this release. Viewers are also expressing strong opinions about the use of AI in their shows and movies.
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2026-02-09 20:11