A former Netflix executive has filed a lawsuit after his dismissal, alleging he was terminated following a disclosure about medically prescribed ketamine therapy during a company retreat.
Kevin Baillie, vice president and head of creative at Eyeline Studios—a visual effects company affiliated with Netflix and known for its work on franchises such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Harry Potter”—claims he was fired after discussing his use of ketamine at a January 2026 retreat. Baillie said he underwent ketamine treatment under medical supervision in late 2022 at a Santa Barbara clinic to address clinical depression stemming from the death of his mother.
According to court documents, Baillie revealed his ketamine therapy experience during a “Vulnerability-Trust exercise” at a retreat held at Netflix’s Sendero Ranch property in Northern California. The lawsuit states that Netflix launched an investigation into Baillie’s comments, framing them as potentially related to recreational drug use. The investigation, initiated in March, culminated in Baillie’s termination in April. Netflix’s legal representatives reportedly confirmed that the ketamine therapy disclosure was a factor in his firing.
Baillie’s suit further contends that the investigation extended beyond the ketamine discussion to include allegations tied to profanity and alcohol use. Baillie acknowledges receiving a prior warning during his performance review to moderate his language but says he was not directed to cease altogether. The complaint also describes an incident at the same retreat where Baillie reportedly drank a Guinness while performing a physical stunt to entertain colleagues, a moment triggered by the openness fostered during the trust exercise.
The lawsuit paints a broader picture of workplace culture at Eyeline Studios under CEO Jeff Shapiro, alleging that alcohol consumption was routinely encouraged, sponsored, and modeled by leadership. Baillie offers several examples, including Shapiro purchasing beer for employees en route to a Visual Effects Society Awards event and consuming alcohol at other company functions, such as a welcome dinner in September 2024, the Netflix Annual Business Review in March 2025, and a Lakers game in February 2026 attended by multiple Netflix executives.
Court filings note that Shapiro allegedly maintained a personal bar in his office, from which he served alcohol to Baillie, even following meetings with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
Baillie’s complaint requests a jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, including lost wages and emotional distress. Netflix and Eyeline Studios have been contacted for comment but declined to provide statements at this time.