'Buffet Infinity's AI Controversy Helps & Hurts Its Message
Buffet Infinity (2026) is one of Shudder's weirdest movies… ever. It made me feel confused, concerned, and "crazy," which is high praise coming from a horror fan. The film essentially starts by introducing the fictional Westridge County and all the local businesses within it. The biggest focus is the titular Buffet Infinity, an all-you-can-eat restaurant that begins competing with another eatery called Jenny's Sandwich Shop. The catch? Buffet Infinity tells its entire story through rapid-fire commercials that feel ripped from the '90s. The other catch? This movie takes a hard left turn into cosmic horror.
However, this wholly unique film has come under fire because of generative AI use. I already know some of you are shaking your heads in dismay (I know I did). Unlike 2026's earlier controversy with Eli Roth's AI use in Ice Cream Man, Buffet Infinity's Simon Glassman has been upfront about AI use in the film and the satirical purpose it's supposed to serve. Here's what you need to know about Buffet Infinity's AI so far to form your own opinion.
How 'Buffet Infinity' Used AI
Buffet Infinity debuted at the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival in 2025, where the credits disclosed the use of generative AI to create certain images. Honestly, A LOT is going on in Buffet Infinity, which makes nailing down those exact images pretty tricky. An early reviewer from 25 Years Later specifically points to a "very brief intercut image" used in one of the ads for Buffet Infinity that talks about the staff that no one has seen, but who definitely works there.
However, other Fantasia International Film Festival viewers report that generative AI was used for eight images. Without confirmation from director Simon Glassman, it's challenging to confidently label what is AI and what's not. Still, the fact of the matter is that AI was used in Buffet Infinity, in addition to the hundreds of scenes Glassman organically shot.
'Buffet Infinity's AI Use Adds To Its Satire (But Also Complicates It)
For many, myself included, generative AI use in filmmaking is a sin. That said, Buffet Infinity is a rather unique case. The film itself harbors multiple messages beneath its quick-changing commercials and bizarre, often comedic, ads. The most obvious is the price of consumerism and the ethics of monopolies, which becomes apparent as Buffet Infinity literally swallows the other businesses in a shopping complex before taking over the entire county.
However, with this commentary also comes a pretty sharp critique of AI. As Buffet Infinity's ads progress, they start "copying" the ads of other businesses. Jenny's Sandwich Shop promises stuffed sandwiches with more toppings, so Buffet Infinity releases an ad with a very similar concept. Like AI, though, this spin on the idea doesn't feel quite right (or quite human), and eventually, it spirals into a total disaster with a giant stacked burger that would be impossible for anyone to eat without a team of people.
It's one of the film's funniest moments, but it's also clearly satirizing the use of generative AI. With AI stealing from people and then from itself as it continues to consume, it creates a cannibalistic effect that, in some ways, Buffet Infinity "personifies." Buffet Infinity is never thinking for itself. It's just copying and searching for the next gimmick that's proven successful elsewhere, like when it adds the arcade or briefly becomes an Indian restaurant, even if neither of those things make sense for its starting business model.
Thus, for Buffet Infinity to use generative AI for its bit about "definitely having real employees" makes some kind of twisted satirical sense. After all, this specific AI image wasn't made by "real" people employed for the film, but a robot. Still, by using AI at all, Buffet Infinity also undercuts its message. It's certainly possible for people to replicate that AI-feel without actually using AI. I'm sure that's the route many audiences wish Glassman went down. For a movie with such an interesting way of exploring rampant consumerism and AI use, it's a shame the AI controversy ends up complicating things.
