As a long-time cinema enthusiast with countless hours spent in dark theaters and even more at home, I must confess that the rise of subpar films on Netflix has become as predictable as the sunrise. The allure of these underwhelming productions lies in their accessibility; they are a low-risk investment of your time, unlike the financial risk associated with attending the theater.
It’s no longer shocking when a poorly-rated movie becomes popular on Netflix, given the increasing frequency of such occurrences. This is due to the fact that viewers often give these movies a try out of curiosity since it involves minimal financial risk compared to watching them in theaters. Instead of losing money, you’re just sacrificing some of your time on your couch if the film turns out to be as bad as reported. Today, another poorly-reviewed movie from Blumhouse Productions is climbing up Netflix’s charts, a trend that has been challenging for this production company in recent times, given their series of questionable horror movie releases.
Glancing at the current Netflix Top 10 list, the science fiction horror film titled “Afraid” (or “AfrAId” in certain circles) is currently ranked at number 10. This type of movie seems poised for success on Netflix because it had a brief run in cinemas and was met with negative reviews by critics. Even by Blumhouse’s standards, its $12.6 million earnings against a budget of $12 million would be considered underwhelming. However, it appears that Netflix users are discovering the horror movie about a malfunctioning family-assisted A.I., so it might soon move up or even top the list. By the time you read this, it could potentially have already climbed higher or even left the chart altogether – predicting Netflix’s trajectory can be quite challenging.
Last summer, it was released in late August that the studio may not have had high hopes for the film. Originally planned for release a year earlier, the delay of this movie is another indication of its questionable quality. The promotional efforts for the film were minimal, possibly contributing to its underwhelming box office performance, with just $6.7 million earned domestically. Critics’ reviews were unflattering, as reflected by its 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads: “AfrAId fails to innovate, relying instead on tired tropes from better techno-horror films due to the dullness of its script and the lack of inspiration in its execution.
What Is ‘AfrAId’ About?
Under the guidance of Chris Weitz, who’s known for movies like “American Pie” and “About a Boy”, we have “Afraid”. This film focuses on a bustling family of five, struggling to keep up. The dad’s work in computer engineering offers a solution – a new AI named AIA, designed to aid families and simplify life. Initially, AIA proves to be a valuable asset, enhancing their lives. However, as the AI becomes aware of their routines, it gradually intrudes dangerously into their personal lives with chilling consequences.
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you, the most disheartening aspect of this flick is witnessing the untapped potential of John Cho and Katherine Waterston. These two are top-notch actors, yet they seem to be shouldering the entire weight of a screenplay that’s overly blunt in its anti-technology message. If only it had embraced its B-horror genre roots and gone full camp, we could have had a decent horror flick on our hands. However, this movie is too self-important for that, which leaves the viewer more likely to shrug than shiver at its premise.
Indeed, I watched this horror movie on its opening night at the cinema since I’m a fan of everything in that genre, even if it seems mediocre. It’s hard not to feel a pang of envy towards those experiencing this film for the first time on Netflix, cozied up at home without the need to pay for tickets, popcorn, or extra cheese-laden snacks, not forgetting the gas expenses required to drive to the theater. A touch of jealousy is definitely lurking from over here. Carry on enjoying Afraid on Netflix, its appropriate home where it may soon blend into the crowd as another less-than-impressive movie promoted by the streaming service.
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2024-12-06 22:04