Netflix acquires Ben Affleck's AI startup InterPositive for up to $600 million; patent reveals projected cost cuts to below-the-line production roles

Netflix acquired InterPositive, a three-year-old AI startup founded by Ben Affleck, in a March 5 transaction reportedly worth as much as $600 million in cash and performance-tied earnouts. The 16-person team, originally backed by RedBird Capital Partners, joined Netflix; Affleck remains as a senior adviser.

InterPositive's technology uses video language models (AI systems trained on video) trained on a production's own dailies (raw daily footage) to automate filmmaking tasks like wire removal, shot reframing, relighting, and background enhancement. A patent filed in November 2024 projects substantial savings on below-the-line costs (crew roles excluding writers, directors, producers, and on-screen talent), conservatively reaching at least 10% to 20%, with visual effects costs dropping about 50%, background actors and stand-ins 70%, set dressing 40%, and art department 30%.

Affleck marketed the technology as enabling filmmakers to "take out all the logistical, difficult, technical stuff that often gets in the way" and claimed it results in "more human work." However, production consultant Jason Fisher published criticism on April 10 arguing that the impact on below-the-line workers—who comprise grip, lighting, art department, set dressing, background actors, and locations roles—may not align with Affleck's messaging.