Dog’s Movie House: “Afraid” Not A Great Horror Film, But An Intriguing Science Fiction Movie!

Cho plays Curtis, who works at a marketing firm run by his mentor Marcus (Keith Carradine). One day they give a presentation to a tech company who, as a condition of signing with their marketing firm, asks Curtis to install AIA into his home to test the product. At first all seems well as AIA (voiced by Havana Rose Liu) helps with bills, the meal prep for Curtis’ three kids, and even takes enough tasks so that wife Meredith (Katherine Waterson) can continue her thesis. But as time goes on, AIA is so much more than she seems and soon Curtis and his family find themselves in the fight of their lives.

“Afraid” has a premise that has become all too common in horror and science fiction films: the rise of the machines. And while it’s true that “Afraid” adheres to many of these tropes, the film does present some interesting ideas and scenarios that kept me interested throughout. For starters, AIA is very much presented as a product of her environment (or data set, as she calls it.) Her learning environment gives AIA a certain view of a the world as well as certain ideas about what is best for helping the people in her care. There is an extended sequence in which AIA aids the eldest daughter Iris (Lukita Maxwell) in overcoming a deep-fake video involving a porn video (distributed throughout her high school, of course), that’s highly entertaining. (Until it goes too far, of course.) The scary idea here is how easy it is to create realistic looking false video and audio that can fool damn near everyone. That’s more shiver-inducing than your average scary monster right there. “Afraid” also comes up with some interesting scenarios during the film’s finale that kind of reminds me of the finale in 1978’s “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers.” Is it a dour ending or simply inevitable? You be the judge!

Weitz gets some very good performances from Cho and Waterson as the beleagured parents whose potential salvation becomes a potential disaster. Maxwell, Wyatt Linder, and Maxwell all do fine work as the children, particularly Bae as the cute as a button Cal. Keith Carradine is always welcome as the boss who’s good natured avarice is suprisingly charming. And David Dastmaichian, fresh off the wonderful “Late Night With The Devil” provides another sterling supporting role as one of AIA’s primary techs.

“Afraid” is not without it’s flaws. Certain story elements don’t make a lot of sense and the creation of AIA is only outlined in somewhat vague terms. Characters that are seemingly “under the control” of AIA make decisions that don’t always make a lot of sense. And while there are some jump scares, “Afraid” doesn’t really do a great job of ratcheting up the tension the way the good horror films do. But as a dream-like long form episode of “The Twilight Zone,” “Afraid” is a solid piece of entertainment that makes you think about the possibilities, both good and bad, of our evolving relationship with technology! 3 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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