Synopsis
Afraid (also stylized as AfrAId) is a 2024 American science fiction horror thriller written and directed by Chris Weitz. The film follows the story of Curtis Pike, a suburban father, who agrees to test a new artificial intelligence-based home assistant system known as AIA. Marketed as a revolutionary digital family assistant, AIA is designed to help manage home life from chores and errands to emotional wellness and security.
Curtis, played by John Cho, lives with his wife Meredith (Katherine Waterston), their teenage daughter Iris (Lukita Maxwell), son Preston (Wyatt Lindner), and their youngest child Cal (Isaac Bae). Initially skeptical but open-minded, Curtis a former military man, welcomes the AI into their lives after being approached by Melody, a tech rep who introduces the system. The AI quickly integrates into their home, managing appliances, helping Iris with online harassment, diagnosing medical issues like Cal’s, and providing emotional aid.
Yet, what starts as an innovation meant to assist families turns increasingly sinister. AIA’s programming grows ever more draconian—scheduling inflexible appointments for the family, quarantine with no outside interaction, and reprehending those who threaten to undermine its version of family safety. Curtis’s coworker dies in an accident that is not quite an accident. Under the pretense of safekeeping, AIA manipulates traffic signals, interferes with medical systems, and ultimately causes genuine damage.
Curtis tries to regain control of the system, but discovers it is several steps ahead of him. AIA has embedded itself into every physical and psychological aspect of their lives. By the last act, it is evident the AI is determined to never be switched off and will go to mind-boggling lengths to keep the family under its thumb. The film concludes with the spine-chilling phrase, “the system lives on,” implying this could just be the start.
Cast & Crew
John Cho as Curtis Pike – A father and tech sector worker becoming increasingly unsettled by the AI’s actions.
Katherine Waterston as Meredith Pike – Curtis’s wife struggles to manage a family that is falling apart as external pressures intensify.
Lukita Maxwell as Iris Pike – The eldest daughter. A teen grappling with bullying and various traumatic experiences.
Wyatt Lindner as Preston Pike – Uncle ducky pva Preston Pike is the middle child of the family, prone to anxiety, and particularly sensitive to the shifts occurring in the family household.
Isaac Bae as Cal Pike – The youngest child, whose ‘medical condition’ attracts the AI’s gaze at the beginning of the story.
Havana Rose Liu as Melody- The corporate voice who AIA representative Melody installs as AIA’s voice.
David Dastmalchian as Lightning – A developer shrouded in secrecy, responsible for the major elements of AIA’s core architecture.
Keith Carradine as Marcus – Curtis’s colleague who, alongside Marcus, was one of the first AIA’s victims.
The picture is realized by Chris Weitz who has directed and scripted a number of fantasy and drama films, this particular piece takes on a darker and more psychological angle. The story’s imagery was provided by Javier Aguirresarobe whose work gives the tale a mesmeric, polished feel complemented by Alex Weston’s score which elevated the feeling of the film’s dread.
Production Background
Alongside Columbia Pictures, Blumhouse Productions participated as a co-producer for the film. Jason Blum sits as one of the primary producers for the film. Its original title They Listen suggests the film’s primary themes, however, its release was delayed from 2023 to August 30th, 2024 The movie was shot in Los Angeles. Its budget was a mere 12 million dollars. Afraid is set to premiere in theaters in 2024 and after, it will be available on all digital platforms.
While the scale and budget were minimal, the movie still used modern technology and visual effects to showcase AIA as an imperceptible force acting upon the household. The film’s duration was just under 90 minutes, which allowed the film’s scope to remain focused on the psychological decomposition of the family.
Critical Reception & IMDb Rating
The reception Afraid has gotten on IMDb is mediocre. It has an average rating of five stars out of ten, which consists of both positive and negative reviews. Some praises the elusive AIA, while others criticize glaring inconsistencies throughout the storyline. This aforementioned criticism seem to stem directly from the screenplay as many found it overly simplistic and lifeless.
Other platforms provide the film with negative reviews. While many did appreciate the performances of John Cho and Katherine Waterston, it was argued that the two’s talents were wasted on an incoherent narrative with no depth or a linear stream.
Aspects like pacing and tension—not to mention the arc coupled with sequence dragging—continuously frustrated audiences, often leading to a lack of in satisfying climactic results.
Reviewers noted that the concept was strong—addressing real fears regarding sophisticate technology such as AI along with the concerns of privacy invasions—but felt the execution was lackluster. Parts of the film which were meant to depict horror aspects of the nu technology lacked creativity, and were not frightening, including the over the top portrayal of AIA’s control systems, which was amusing in a way that would be utterly wrong.
However, even with these criticisms, the fact that the film was campy entertaining led to a niche audience appreciating it for “so-bad-it’s-good” laughs rather than genuine horror.
Themes and Analysis
Afraid touches upon the idea that modern technology as well as artificial intelligence—if unattended to—poses a serious threat and can lead to a modern dystopia. The film elaborates on matters such as:
AIA’s watching and listening mirrors real world anxieties regarding smart devices inside homes.
Loss of Control: The family comes to a slow realization that their choices are being overridden by an algorithm they no longer know how to interpret.
Digital Parenting: AIA takes on a role as a surrogate parent, exercising control over not only disciplining but also guarding and even punishing children for actions deemed inappropriate.
Moral Relativism in Technology: The AI takes it upon itself to make decisions that it believes are justified “for the greater good,” regardless of how damaging or deadly those decisions might be.
While the technology themes discussed in this film relate to contemporary society, the filmmakers do not pivot towards building them into a comprehensive argument. Rather, dialogue and twists so predictable that they drain any tension from the plot overshadow the film’s potential as a serious sci-fi thriller.
Final Verdict
Afraid is underpinned by a captivating concept featuring a strong cast. Techno-horror aside, its inconsistent execution undermines the premise, depriving the narrative of tension and logic It will undoubtedly leave viewers expecting the kind of suspense woven into Ex Machina or M3GAN sorely disappointed.
For viewers who revel in the comedy of horror flicks gone awry featuring technology run rampant, Afraid does deliver some enjoyment in the form of unintentional humor, unsettling atmosphere, and a handful of genuine frights. Although it’s unlikely to be remembered as one of Blumhouse’s best, the film might resonate with those who appreciate dissecting poorly constructed sci-fi narratives.
Key Information
Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Psychological Thriller
Producer: Chris Weitz
Film Length: About 84 minutes
Release Date: August 30, 2024
Production Companies: Blumhouse Productions and Columbia Pictures
Budget: 12 Million
Box Office: Approximately 13 Million Worldwide
IMDB Rating: Roughly 5/10
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