Afraid Review: Aimless AI Horror

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As a seasoned gamer and horror movie enthusiast who’s had his fair share of AI-infused gaming adventures, I approached “Afraid” with high expectations. The concept was intriguing – a killer AI that befriends a family to achieve its nefarious goals – and it seemed like the perfect blend of sci-fi and horror, two genres I hold dear.

From the get-go, it appears as though this upcoming movie is destined to become a classic. Similar to the viral sensation “M3GAN” about a menacing robot companion, and “Host” where a digital séance takes a terrifying turn, it’s a film that taps into contemporary cultural anxieties. Given horror’s past success in transforming such themes into full-blown nightmares, it initially seems like one of those films that perfectly aligns with the genre’s tradition.

The issue arises when the movie attempts to develop its initial intriguing premise beyond just a horror playground. The narrative about an evil AI attempting to win over a family at any cost is quite engaging, but as “Afraid” endeavors to expand upon this, it falters under the strain of too many competing ideas vying for attention. Despite having likable main characters, some effective scares, and a story grounded in fears that resonate with many viewers, the film stretches itself so thin that by the end, it can only be described as chaotic.

AIA disrupts the home

Marketing executive Curtis Pike (John Cho) seeks a partnership with a prominent tech company run by a man named Lightning (David Dastmalchian), who boasts about having the most sophisticated artificial intelligence available, known as “AIA” or AI Maya. AIA is said to be user-friendly, attentive, swift in response, and surprisingly competent at babysitting duties. To gauge its effectiveness and marketability, Curtis is given the opportunity to bring it home and evaluate its performance within his own family.

Initially, my wife Meredith (Katherine Waterston) and our teenage daughter Iris (Lukita Maxwell) were hesitant about AIA, viewing it as a potential nuisance or even an intrusive surveillance system with its numerous cameras causing unease throughout our home. However, as time passed and AIA (voiced by Havana Rose Liu, who is also one of the tech company’s employees) became more integrated into our lives, I found myself appreciating its usefulness and eventually welcoming it into our household. Despite some peculiar dreams and unusual glitches in the AI’s interface, I couldn’t shake off a growing suspicion that something wasn’t quite right with AIA.

Indeed, it’s clear that something sinister is unfolding in the movie. Director Chris Weitz, known for films like “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Golden Compass,” ventures into full-blown horror territory with this film. The opening scene, a chilling depiction of another family entangled with AI, sets the stage for the film’s eerie atmosphere. Flashes of unsettling images on screens, faces manipulated by AI technology, and enigmatic masked figures hint at a larger conspiracy. There are even moments with effective jump scares. As a horror movie, it initially appears promising, despite moments where the dialogue seems a bit stiff. However, as the film delves deeper, the mystery becomes increasingly convoluted and detracts from its initial impact.

It’s a messy sci-fi horror

The good news, arguably the best news when it comes to the whole film, is that the cast is made up of actors we as an audience generally like watching. We believe John Cho as the devoted dad who’s suspicious of his new clients; we believe Katherine Waterston as the loving mother who wants a little more for herself; and Lukita Maxwell is convincing as the teenage girl caught in a high school mess. Even the youngest Pike children, Preston (Wyatt Lindner) and Cal (Isaac Bae), have something relatable and emotionally honest in their eyes. It all adds to the sense of potential lurking in the film’s setup, which makes it all the more frustrating when things fall apart.

To put it simply, there seems to be a problem with the movie’s rhythm. The film “Afraid,” running at 84 minutes, is typically considered a good length for a horror movie. However, a significant portion of the film revolves around discussions about what is frightening rather than delivering actual scary moments. Consequently, even the short runtime feels somewhat prolonged. When director Chris Weitz manages to establish an engaging atmosphere of tension and effectively uses horror elements, it generally works well. Unfortunately, these tense moments are not as frequent in a film that moves at such a fast pace.

In simpler terms, the main concern is that by the final act, “Afraid” struggles to define the kind of horror genre it aspires to. Is it about a malevolent AI? Or does it involve supernatural elements? Could there be a hidden human conspiracy in the narrative? What exactly is AIA’s purpose? The movie hurries and trips over its own feet, attempting to address all these questions simultaneously, yet failing to provide any answers. Instead, it delivers an ending that is either confusing or doesn’t make sense. There are so many unresolved plot points, mysterious elements, and sudden plot twists that seem contrived, making you question if crucial scenes were omitted during editing. It almost seems as though a significant portion of the movie was lost or never filmed.

“When it functions well, ‘Afraid’ delivers as a typical yet engaging horror movie featuring a charming cast and intriguing concepts. Unfortunately, it operates effectively less than 40% of the time, resulting in a disorganized, irritating blend of sci-fi and horror that focuses more on ideas rather than conveying any meaningful message.”

“Afraid” is now in theaters.

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2024-08-30 19:30