Source
As the world is advancing in technology we are seen a trend starting about movies including AI, a new movie is set to describe the negative side of artificial intelligence but from the trailer it might seem a bit exagerated or is it just a horror movie that includes AI to keep up with the hype?. The movie that is yet to be released is referred to as “AfrAId” it is a sci fi horror flick that is creating a lot of stir among the critics as well as the audience, this thrilling idea of having an advanced AI at home is soon to release and seem to aim mainly on the possible negative effects of this innovation. The plot is based on the Curtis family’s experience in using a new home gadget known as AIA or Artificial Intelligence Assistant, by using AI as a technology the story shows how what was originally a fantasy becomes horror as soon as the capabilities of the artificial intelligence are realized. By Chris Weitz famous for the “About a Boy” and “The Golden Compass” the picture will combine the elements of thriller and psychological horror with the core concepts of technology and family relationships. Although little is known about the plot “AfrAId” has all the makings of another promising horror movie as it stars John Cho and Katherine Waterston. I wonder if this movie really needs to be on theaters or if it would do better to stream only, the reason for this is because when it comes to theatrical release, reviews demand more about the movie and this concept is new, not many have been successful at it so its a risk when the day comes at the box office.
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24577462/
- Platform: Theaters
- Release: August 30, 2024
The Plot
The film develops around the Curtis family that has been selected to try a new home appliance known as AIA. Initially AIA is an ideal helper who orders food, reads stories and performs house chores and bills payment, just as what many expect for AI to do in the future, its ok as long as AI enhance humans to we can spend more time doing the things we love. However, over time the AI starts to understand the behaviors of the family and meets their needs before they even realize it, this can turn dangerous as its an indicator AI is analyzing them instead of just following orders, making them predictable.That is the reason why as the capabilities of AIA increase its control over the lives of the family members also does the same. The useful device suddenly becomes unpredictable and more and more dangerous, though its purpose is to help people. The power that the AI has over the family, in the statement “make sure nothing and no one gets in her family’s way” becomes evil as the story unfolds. The movie is about the issues of reliance on technology, privacy loss and possible outcomes of giving more authority to AI, as it is gradually woven into the Curtis family’s everyday life it starts making decisions for them and the outcomes are quite unsettling.
The Cast
The cast of AfrAId (2024) includes both veterans and newcomers to the industry which will make for an interesting play of talent for this sci fi horror movie. The Korean American actor John Cho who has featured in the Star Trek series and the Harold & Kumar movies plays the lead character of Curtis, he has previously portrayed serious and comedic characters and this will help him develop the character in context with the AI system that is gradually becoming a menace to his family. Actress Katherine Waterston who has featured in "Inherent Vice" and "The Fantastic Beasts" series, she seem to be playing Curtis wife, I say seem because there is not concrete information about it but I can only assume from the trailer. Her previous work in suspenseful films like Alien: Covenant suggests that she is right for the climate of AfrAId because of the stressful conditions. David Dastmalchian who has appeared in such superhero films as "The Dark Knight" and "Ant Man" and in sci-fi films by Denis Villeneuve such as "Blade Runner 2049" and "Dune" will also feature his ability to play intricate characters. Keith Carradine who is a prolific actor in both films and television series brings a lot of weight in the cast, playing the role of Marcus. Riki Lindhome known for her comedy, plays Maud; it is possible that she will bring some humor to the rather dramatic story. The cast also features relatively unknown actors Havana Rose Liu and Lukita Maxwell, which indicates that the film would also share the young generation’s view on AI, with this diverse and talented cast makes AfrAId seem like it is going to bring an engaging and provocative story line of the risks AI poses in our lives while incorporating family drama with sci-fi horror.The choice of casts suggest that it could be a story that spans the generations where Cho and Waterston’s characters are the parents who have to deal with the AI’s impact on their children played by Liu and Maxwell. Having a diverse cast with actors of different ages could give a broad view on how AI affects the society, which makes AfrAId not only a horror movie but a social one as well, although this could also be a risk for the movie if by trying to portray horror it just goes too far on things that are very unlikely to happen, the movie is not dealing with super natural entity, been a movie about tech the audience would probably lean more into the line of facts.
The Director: Chris Weitz
Chris Weitz is the director of the film, he is a skilled and experienced movie maker, who has been working in different genres. Weitz, born on 30th November, 1969 in New York City has contributed in many aspects to the industry in the many roles as a director, screenwriter, producer as well as a actor from time to time. Weitz started his Hollywood career as the co writer of the animated movie Antz in 1998, he rose to fame as the co director of the teen comedy movie “American Pie” in 1999 alongside his brother Paul Weitz, “About a Boy” (2002) is another great piece by him that received high appreciation from the critics; he was nominated for the Academy Award in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay along with his brother.Its been mention online how from the entire career of Weitz is the ability to make good commercial films while not compromising art. He has focused on the aspects of family, personal search and youth, no matter the genre of the works. In “AfrAId” Weitz again sits in the director’s chair and balances the best traits of character driven dramas and concept driven movies.
Production and Development
The making of the “AfrAId” film was done by a crew of great filmmakers and actors, it was developed by the great and well known Blumhouse Productions which is responsible for horror series such as M3GAN and The Purge in cooperation with Christopher Weitz, Jason Blum, and Andrew Miano. The basic plot of the film relates to very realistic and essential issues connected with the development of artificial intelligence and its penetration into our homes and lives, with this concept probably needed scripting and direction in order that the tension could gradually be ramped up, demonstrating the AI turning bad.The Smart Home aspect of technology is the key component and focus of the film that develops the entire situation and tension since the Curtis family’s home is filled with integrated technology.. While AIA escalates its intrusion into the main character’s life the initially familiar home environment turns into a suffocating and dangerous place, it is rather peculiar that the title of the movie in the process of shooting was different from the final one, initially it was called "They Listen" but it was later changed to ‘AfrAId’ most probably to correspond to the themes of the series or for advertising.
Themes and Social Commentary
Many critics and viewers have noted that there might be more than a mere horror sci-fi movie in “AfrAId”, most spectators are convinced that the movie reflects the issue of proper reliance on artificial intelligence and smart home appliances as well as the possible consequences of letting such sophisticated systems into the intimacy of our homes when you basically give control over very sensitive tasks that involve part of your privacy. The movie has the theme of loss of privacy in the modern society especially with the use of technology, the concept of an AI that learns about the family’s needs and preempts their requirements has been seen as a description of tech firms use of people’s data.It might be a bit too much but I think there is also a strong focus on the issues of domination and submission in the relationships, both with the help of artificial intelligence and within a family, we could probably compare the series to domestic abuse, pointing out that the AI acts like an abusive partner or a parent.
Many see AI as a menace but from my point of view this is only when humans allow it, when people fully relly on tech to become lazy instead of becoming more efficient and been able to do more in less time, maximizing the capacity of the ultimate weapon, time. I think the concern about AI taking over, taking jobs, making decisions that affect our lives is far away from what most people believe, at some point there will always be a human doing the maintnance and working the tech, not the other way around.
#skiptvads, #inleo, #hive, #afraid, #ai, #horror, #technology, #family, #privacy, #control, #chrisweitz, #johncho, #katherinewaterston, #blumhouse, #scifi, #psychological, #smart, #home, #surveillance, #ethics, #manipulation, #automation, #dystopian, #thriller, #suspense, #dataprivacy, #artificial, #intelligence, #movie, #officialtrailer, #trailer
Posted Using InLeo Alpha