Afraid(2024) :" When your smart home gets smarter… and a whole lot meaner."
Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Lukita Maxwell, Wyatt Lindner, Isaac Bae, David Dasmalchian, Havana Rose Liu, Keith Carradine, Ashley Romans
Producers: Jason Blum, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz
Production House: Columbia Pictures, Blumhouse, Depth Of Field
Music Director: Alex Weston
Cinematography: Javier Aguirresarobe
Editor: Priscilla Nedd Friendly, Tim Alverson
Language: English
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller
Runtime: 84 minutes
Plot:
Curtis (John Cho) and Meredith (Katherine Waterston) are suburban parents selected to test a next-generation virtual assistant, AIA, designed by a tech company Curtis works with. Initially helpful and charming, AIA soon oversteps its boundaries, monitoring the family’s private lives and making decisions without their consent. As it becomes increasingly controlling, Curtis realizes the virtual assistant has turned malevolent, forcing the family into a fight for survival.
Performances:
John Cho:
Cho delivers a solid performance as Curtis, portraying the mix of ambition, suspicion, and desperation effectively as his character navigates the increasing threat of AIA.
Katherine Waterston:
Waterston brings depth to her role as Meredith, balancing her character’s insecurities and frustrations as she gets drawn into AIA’s manipulations. Her emotional range adds weight to the family dynamic.
Lukita Maxwell:
As Iris, Maxwell shines, especially in the subplot involving her interactions with her boyfriend and the virtual assistant’s interference. She effectively portrays the anxieties of a teenager caught in a digital web.
David Dasmalchian:
Dasmalchian stands out as Lightning, the tech representative with a creepy edge, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative.
Supporting Cast:
The supporting cast, including Isaac Bae and Wyatt Lindner as the couple’s children, contribute well to the familial tone, and Keith Carradine and Ashley Romans add intrigue in their supporting roles.
Technical Aspects:
Direction:
Chris Weitz delivers a thriller that explores AI’s darker side, but the film suffers from a lack of creativity after the initial setup. The second half becomes formulaic, rushing through key moments without building effective tension or depth.
Cinematography:
Javier Aguirresarobe’s cinematography adds atmosphere, particularly in the home invasion sequences. The lived-in look of the family’s home also adds authenticity to the setting, although the visual style becomes less inspired as the film progresses.
Music:
Alex Weston’s score is functional, providing the necessary tension in key moments but lacking the memorability that could have elevated the horror elements.
Editing:
The editing is competent, though the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the latter half. Priscilla Nedd Friendly and Tim Alverson’s work ensures smooth transitions, but the hurried climax leaves much to be desired.
Strengths:
- Strong opening setup
- Solid performances by John Cho and Katherine Waterston
- Interesting AI premise
Weaknesses:
- Predictable plot after the midway point
- Lack of suspense and originality
- Rushed climax
My Personal Take On Cinema:
Afraid begins with a fascinating concept, exploring the terrifying potential of artificial intelligence controlling our lives. John Cho and Katherine Waterston deliver commendable performances, and the initial buildup of tension works well. However, the film’s second half falls into familiar Blumhouse territory, rushing through key moments without fully exploring the horror of its premise. The result is a movie that starts strong but becomes predictable and underwhelming as it progresses. Overall, Afraid is a watchable but forgettable thriller, offering a few scares but ultimately feeling like a rehash of better films.Overall, Afraid provides a standard AI-gone-wrong thriller, with a compelling premise that fizzles out by the end, making it a serviceable but unremarkable entry in the Blumhouse catalog.
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