Review: AI-Generated Gene Wilder Voice Marred ‘Wonka’s Golden Ticket’ in Netflix Competition Series

Netflix’s new unscripted series, “Wonka’s Golden Ticket,” has drawn sharp criticism for its use of artificial intelligence to replicate the voice of Gene Wilder, the actor best known for portraying Willy Wonka in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” Loosely adapted from Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the show has been described by reviewers as a ghoulish exploitation of a deceased celebrity’s likeness.

The series follows a format similar to other reality competition shows, where contestants face physical and social challenges for a cash prize. However, the central figure guiding the game is not a human host but an AI-generated version of Wilder. The production notes that it received permission from Wilder’s estate for the voice replication. Wilder passed away in 2016 at the age of 83 and did not participate in recording lines for the show.

Critics argue that the concept itself is fundamentally flawed, comparing it to Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge.” Both shows take stories that serve as cautionary tales about forced competition and recast them as entertainment, thereby undermining their original messages. In Dahl’s book, the narrative explicitly warns against subjecting children to deadly contests over scarce resources. Transposing this dynamic into a reality TV format is seen as a perversion of the source material.

“Wonka’s Golden Ticket” attempts to recreate iconic settings from the Wonka universe, including the chocolate river and the Wonkavision studio, with notable production value. New challenges include a shrinking hallway and a room with honey-slicked floors. However, the aesthetic cohesion is disrupted by the jarring presence of the AI host and production choices such as ‘50s-style “Fallout”-esque challenge introductions and modern reality TV sleeping quarters that clash with the fantasy setting.

Contestants, who navigate the challenges in pairs, are coached to refer to the AI host simply as “Wonka,” drawing comparisons to the cold, logical computer HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The top prize is $3 million, described in the show as a “six-figure income for 30 years.” Despite the high stakes, reviewers note that no contestants have emerged as breakout stars, with the AI voice remaining the most memorable, and disturbing, element of the series.

The review highlights that while the AI can mimic Wilder’s nasal tone, it fails to capture comic timing, resulting in humorous dialogue that falls flat. The author suggests that Dahl, whose characters often reflected the messy reality of childhood, would likely be appalled by the technology. The first seven episodes are currently streaming on Netflix, with a two-part finale scheduled for release on September 30.