Key facts
- Higgsfield AI's sci-fi thriller "Hell Grind" premiered in May.
- The film was produced for approximately $500,000.
- All visuals and actors in the film were generated using AI.
- The movie uses highly specific text prompts to generate content.
- AI was not used for the script, except for minor filler moments.
Higgsfield AI has produced a sci-fi action thriller titled "Hell Grind," which features entirely AI-generated actors and visuals, costing approximately $500,000 to make. The film premiered at the Marché du Film in Cannes in May. A screening of the movie revealed moments where the AI-generated performances evoked genuine emotion, such as sadness and yearning from the male lead, Roco. However, these moments were often broken by the "uncanny valley" effect, with unnatural synchronized laughter and odd character behaviors, like Roco's peculiar handling of pizza. The AI-generated voice work also presented inconsistencies, with one character shifting between British and American accents. The company utilized specific text prompts, around 3,000 words each, to generate roughly 100 hours of content, which was then edited down. AI was not used for scriptwriting, except for a few filler moments that the CEO, Alex Mashrabov, deemed less effective. Mashrabov stated that the new workflow demonstrates AI's potential and allows creatives to deliver specific envisioned emotions. The technology is seen as a potential boon for independent filmmakers with limited budgets, particularly in genres like action and sci-fi where visual effects are costly. The rise of AI in entertainment is a significant concern for creatives and unions like SAG-AFTRA, which is negotiating new contract language regarding the use of synthetic performers.