Anya Taylor-Joy’s ‘Morgan’ Surges to #7 on Max: The AI Thriller Everyone’s Talking About!

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In a surprising twist, given today’s streaming trends, the 2010 sci-fi thriller “Morgan” has resurfaced in contemporary culture. It currently ranks at number 7 on the top 10 movies list on the streaming service Max. The resurgence of this movie could be due to increased conversations and contemplations about artificial intelligence in the creative fields, where it is often used, as directed by Luke Scott, son of the celebrated filmmaker Ridley Scott.

The story centers on risk-management expert Lee Weathers, portrayed by Kate Mara, who investigates a secluded lab where a genetically engineered entity named Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy) with superior intellect and development was created. Morgan’s erratic and aggressive behavior triggers an investigation by Weathers, who collaborates with project leader Dr. Lui Cheng (Michelle Yeoh) and Dr. Simon Ziegler (Toby Jones). However, the situation takes a grim turn when Morgan starts murdering the researchers, forcing Weathers into a struggle for her life.

The film, “Morgan,” boasts an impressively talented ensemble of actors including Rose Leslie, Boyd Holbrook, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Paul Giamatti. Each delivers captivating performances despite limited screen time. However, the film’s intriguing premise and ideas aren’t fully developed, as criticized by many. With a disappointing 39% critics rating and low audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, “Morgan” failed to make a significant impact compared to other science fiction films like Alex Garland’s “Ex Machina,” which was released a year earlier.

Renewed Interest in ‘Morgan’ Might Be Due to Socially Relevant Themes

Apart from receiving poor reviews, the film “Morgan” faced difficulties at the ticket counter, earning just $8.8 million globally compared to its production budget of $30 million. Critics described it as “interesting but weak,” despite its high-action content. The film’s most captivating aspect might be the early signs of the success that the young actors would later achieve, particularly Anya Taylor-Joy, who was only in her third movie with “Morgan.” It was M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split” and “Barry” that followed, which catapulted her to fame.

Paul Giamatti, who earned acclaim and multiple award nominations for his portrayal in the 2023 film “The Holdovers” last year, additionally played a brief yet impactful role as a psychologist evaluating Morgan’s mental state. On the other hand, Michelle Yeoh, an Oscar-winning actress, delivered an impressive performance as one of the researchers in the movie, showcasing her illustrious career and versatility in roles. Despite “Morgan” not being a box office success, it offers a captivating glimpse into a lesser-known film that featured a wealth of underrated talent whose recognition would skyrocket nearly a decade later.

It’s fascinating to see Morgan gaining attention on the streaming platform Max, as both old and new viewers are likely to recognize the young performers in it. Despite the initial criticism about the film’s portrayal of artificial intelligence and ethical issues being oversimplified, its themes remain relevant today. This could be why it’s making a comeback on Max. The streaming industry’s focus on reviving overlooked and classic films is intriguing given the vast amount of fresh, original content produced for these platforms.

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2025-01-28 18:31