Are there any stories about artificial intelligence that aren’t horror? Even in the real world AI is pretty scary, especially how fast it has become integral to our daily lives. It’s almost like AI is making itself indispensable to us. So what happens if AI accomplishes that goal, only to turn on us? Well, then you get the plot of Blumhouse’s new thriller, Afraid.
Starring a terrific cast led by John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, David Dastmalchian, and Keith Carradine, Afraid centers on a family who test out an advanced home AI called AIA, that is capable of doing everything, including how to manipulate them and control their every move. And that’s only the beginning.
The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz in a change-of-pace for him. He’s known for his work on some pretty big films including About a Boy, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and Rogue One.
SYNOPSIS: In AFRAID, Curtis (John Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called AIA. Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, AIA seems able to do it all. She learns the family’s behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family’s way.
Afraid opens in theaters on August 30th via Sony Pictures.