This AI-Generated Movie ‘Hell Grind’ Was Made in Just 2 Weeks With a Shocking Budget

An AI-generated film titled ‘Hell Grind’ is challenging traditional cinema experiences. Recently screened at a private event in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, audience reactions varied, with a mix of curiosity and confusion regarding the visuals on display. This information was reported by Variety journalist Tatiana Siegel, who was present at the screening.

The movie has a runtime of approximately 95 minutes and was produced by the San Francisco-based AI startup Higgsfield AI. Remarkably, it was created in just two weeks with a budget of around $500,000, primarily allocated for computing power and AI tools, including ByteDance’s Seedance video generation model and Higgsfield’s proprietary system.

The screening experience was unique, resembling a typical film event. Attendees relaxed in reclining seats, enjoyed popcorn, and watched the film as they would any conventional movie. However, everything on screen—from characters and cityscapes to music and food scenes—was entirely generated by artificial intelligence.

The narrative of ‘Hell Grind’ is both bizarre and chaotic. It centers on four orphaned criminals led by a character named Roco, who embark on a heist, acquire unexpected superpowers, and become embroiled in a conflict with a demon that kidnaps one of their friends. The group faces various challenges in their quest to rescue her, navigating portals, magical artifacts, and battles set in an underworld.

This film was showcased amid increasing interest in AI’s role in entertainment. The screening attracted journalists, investors, and Higgsfield staff, with the company presenting the movie more as a technological demonstration than a conventional cinematic experience aimed at rivaling Hollywood storytelling.

Higgsfield CEO Alex Mashrabov explained the project’s purpose in an interview, stating, “We have to lean into the areas where the technology is the strongest and see where it fits creator needs.” He also mentioned that advancements in genres like comedy and drama are anticipated as technology continues to evolve.

While the visuals were often impressively smooth and realistic, the film exhibited notable weaknesses. Some characters lacked emotional depth, and dialogue delivery occasionally felt flat. Reports indicated that even the villain displayed a limited range of expression. Additionally, the film’s music was predominantly AI-generated, with only a small portion contributed by real artists.

Mashrabov acknowledged that early viewer feedback highlighted the absence of elements typically brought by human production. He pointed out that voice acting was one of the project’s weaker aspects, indicating it would require enhancement in future endeavors.

Despite its shortcomings, ‘Hell Grind’ illustrates the rapid advancement of AI filmmaking tools. The company claims that around 15 people and 30 AI agents collaborated on the project within its platform. Although the script was written prior to production, most visuals and scenes were generated through AI systems.

Higgsfield reports that its platform already boasts thousands of users and is experiencing rapid growth. The company, valued at $1.3 billion earlier this year, is also developing training programs to help creators utilize its tools. It envisions future applications in advertising, post-production, and expedited film creation cycles.

At the film’s conclusion, a sequel is hinted at, though it is not currently in development. Whether this sequel will materialize remains uncertain, but the notion of producing projects in weeks rather than years is already part of the discourse. According to Variety’s reporting, ‘Hell Grind’ suggests a future where films could be created much more swiftly, yet it still raises questions about the emotional authenticity of such stories.

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