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DERRICK DUNN

"Afarid" is hackneyed effort at showing the dangers of AI


John Cho and frequent collaborator director Chris Weitz reunite for the AI horror flick "Afraid: from Blumhouse and Columbia Pictures. Weitz also pens the film's screenplay.


Software designer Curtis (John Cho) and his family, comprising his wife Meredith (Katherine Waterston), daughter Iris (Lukita Maxwell), and sons Preston (Wyatt Linder) and Cal (Issac Bae), have been selected to participate in the testing phase of an innovative digital assistant named AIA, voiced by Havana Rose Liu. This advanced AIA system is designed to learn the behavioral patterns of the household members and proactively cater to their needs, thus ensuring minimal disruptions within the smart home environment.


From the opening sequence of "Afraid," where we meet Maud (Riki Lindholme) and Henry's (Greg Hill) parents to a young girl who mysteriously disappears, I expected the film to take on a ghost story aspect. While I was wrong in my assumption, the final product could've been much better.


With his work in "Searching," John Cho made a great transition from the comedy genre. Similarly, the film's writer, Chris Weitz, wrote a great script that previously explored AI with last year's "The Creator." From the onset, it appears that men and the usually reliable Katherine Waterson are strictly here for a paycheck.


While I commend the organic chemistry between Waterson and Cho, the voice work of Havana Rose Liu and everyone else in the film is on autopilot. The acting of the supporting character supporting characters, such as the programming duo Sam and Lightning, played by Ashley Romans and David Dastmalchian, all scream the final draft character templates. The young actors in the film were also underwhelming.


One of the primary deficiencies of the film "Afraid" is its lack of substantive content. Although the film introduces thought-provoking themes such as the perils of excessive reliance on technology and the erosion of privacy, it fails to investigate these concepts thoroughly. The lack of in-depth exploration of these themes leaves the audience with a sense of dissatisfaction.


Moreover, the film exhibits a notable absence of coherence. The scenes often manifest as disjointed, devoid of a discernible logical progression. This fragmented storytelling impedes viewer engagement with the characters and storyline as the film transitions from one contrived scenario to another, failing to establish an authentic sense of tension or suspense.


Additionally, the film minimally incorporates horror and thriller elements. It predominantly aligns with a mild sci-fi drama rather than embodying a genuine horror or thriller experience. The absence of genuine frights and the inadequate construction of suspense leave audiences questioning the film's alignment with its designated genre.


While I'm sure writer and director Chris Weitz will bounce back from this misfire, moviegoers expecting a solid entry in the Blumhouse catalog should look elsewhere.


Final Grade: D+


"Afarid" in theaters now

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