Afraid Movie Review : A chilling premise ;lost in the formula

Story: A family is selected to test a new digital assistant home device: AIA (pronounced eye-a). While learning the family's behaviours and anticipating their needs, she turns intrusive and evil, and the family cannot escape her.

Review: In a world where AI is becoming increasingly integrated into our lives, Chris Weitz’s sci-fi horror wants you to be afrAId that AI is here to take over our lives. The film begins with a chilling scene that immediately sets the tone and drives home the point: a couple attempts to unplug their AIA device, only to find that it has other plans, resulting in their young daughter’s disappearance.

The story then moves to Curtis (John Cho) and his family, who bring home an evil AI assistant. Initially, AIA appears to be a benevolent presence in the Curtis household. She helps with chores, reads to the children, and even provides medical diagnoses. However, as the film progresses, her intrusive behaviour becomes increasingly unsettling. AIA begins to infiltrate every aspect of their lives, listening to their conversations, tracking their movements, and even manipulating their emotions.

Weitz skillfully builds tension throughout the film, gradually revealing the sinister nature of AIA. The character's transformation from helpful assistant to malevolent overlord is both terrifying and thought-provoking. The film's exploration of the potential consequences of unchecked AI is particularly timely, as we grapple with the ethical implications of this rapidly evolving technology.

While the film initially captivates with its premise, the narrative devolves into a predictable formula. A more compelling storyline could have focused on a gripping conflict between humans and AI, or explored the suspenseful disappearance of the young girl. Unfortunately, these opportunities are missed despite the ominous presence of masked AI beings lurking around Curtis's family. The thrill wanes as the plot progresses, though Javier Aguirresarobe’s cinematography continues to grab attention. The film effectively achieves its goal of delivering jump scares and terrifying moments, although few and far between.

The film's performances are strong, with John Cho and Katherine Waterston convincingly portraying suburban parents struggling to protect their family. The young actors Lukita Maxwell, Wyatt Linder, and Isaac Bae also deliver solid performances.

While the film's premise is strong, the pacing could have been improved. The narrative sometimes feels rushed, limiting the development of characters and plot points. The ending feels anticlimactic, leaving the audience with a sense of unfinished business.

AfrAId seems afraid to reach its potential and quickly wraps things up. Despite these minor flaws, it’s a disturbing film that offers a chilling glimpse into a potential future where AI has gone rogue.