August 6, 2025, 7:31 am | Read time: 3 minutes
An Oscar-nominated family drama as a means of wildlife deterrence? What sounds peculiar is part of a new approach in the U.S. to protect cows from predators like wolves. Using drones, floodlights, and film scenes, the Department of Agriculture aims to drive away wolves—and a stirring scene from the Netflix hit “Marriage Story” is being used, as TECHBOOK first reported.
Netflix Drama Meets Drone Technology
According to a report by the “Wall Street Journal,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now resorting to unusual methods to protect livestock herds on American cattle farms from predators like wolves. In addition to thermal cameras and floodlights, acoustic stimuli are particularly intended to deter—such as loud fireworks, gunshots, and arguing voices. One of these sound recordings comes directly from the film “Marriage Story.”
Johansson and Driver Shout Against Wolves
At the center is the pivotal argument scene between Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, where their film characters Nicole and Charlie Barber hurl intense accusations at each other. The scene, known for its emotional intensity, is played over speakers from drones to scare off wolves that might threaten cows. The 2019 film was nominated for six Oscars, including the lead actors—though Laura Dern won as best supporting actress for her role as attorney Nora Fanshaw.
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Effective Against Gray Wolves
The unconventional method seems to be showing results. In an example from southern Oregon, eleven cattle were killed by wolves within 20 days before the drones were deployed. Afterward, there were only two losses in the following 85 days.
The measure is primarily aimed at gray wolves, which were long considered an endangered species under special protection. To continue working with targeted means, the agency relies on stimuli that should imprint on wolves that humans are nearby. A department employee explains: “The wolves need to react and learn that humans are bad.”
AC/DC as Animal Mood Killer
Not only film scenes are used—music has also proven effective. The song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC is reportedly successfully used to keep predators at bay. The aggressive sound of the rock band seems to have a deterrent effect on the sensitive senses of the animals.
My Playlist for an Anti-Wolf Drone
“That AC/DC and a divorce drama help scare away wolves is simply curious. But well, as long as it helps. This, however, gives me the idea to think about my own playlist. What would I put on it?
Definitely my current favorite band: Wargasm from London. They make a high-energy mix of metal, punk, electro, and a bit of hip-hop, and the pumping beats and sawing guitars with simultaneous screaming turn me on, but hopefully turn the animal off. And anyway: It has to be metal in some form, but maybe also the rap shouters from Onyx and M.O.P.
And as for film scenes, wolves could also use a hefty dose of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ In the three-hour runtime, stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, or Rob Reiner have quite a few intense shouting, arguing, and cursing outbursts. And whoever works: Al Pacino. Best as a coked-up Tony Montana in ‘Scarface.’ M16 gunshot sounds included. The wolves are guaranteed to find that howling.”