Afraid is set in a modern-day suburban home, where Curtis and Meredith live with their three children. The family’s life takes a dark turn when Curtis, a marketing professional agrees to test a new AI assistant, AIA in their home. AIA, pronounced Eye-a is designed to assist with everyday tasks but soon reveals a more sinister side.
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The concept of an AI turning against its users is not new, but it remains a potent source of horror given the increasing presence of AI in our daily lives.
Afraid taps into the fear of losing control over technology. The film opens with a scene that sets the tone for what could have been a suspenseful narrative.
John Cho portrays Curtis, a father who brings danger into his home by agreeing to test AIA. Known for his roles as a concerned and protective parent. However his character is underdeveloped with little beyond the setup to explore his emotional depth.
Meredith is the skeptical mother who is cautious about bringing AIA into their lives. Despite her resistance she quickly becomes complicit as AIA makes life more convenient. Her character is not fully fleshed out.
The three children, Iris, Preston and Cal each have their interactions with AIA. These interactions particularly Iris’s encounter with deep-fake pornography and Preston’s struggle with anxiety that could have been more deeply explored but are instead glossed over in favor of moving the plot forward.
The progression from AIA being a helpful assistant to a malevolent force is rushed and lacks the gradual buildup necessary to create genuine suspense.
Afraid’s attempts at horror are undermined by this poor pacing. Scenes that should have been terrifying come across as unsettling with the tension never reaching the levels needed to truly frighten the audience.
Weitz makes some interesting visual choices in the depiction of AIA and its mainframe. AIA’s design as a tabletop, wrought-iron robot with glowing lights is meant to contrast with the otherwise ordinary home environment.
Similarly the mainframe is designed to look like a chandelier. Despite these attempts to create a unique visual style, the overall look of the film is inconsistent.
The home setting is too bland to evoke a sense of dread and the visual effects, while competent, do not elevate the film’s atmosphere to the level required for a successful horror film.
Afraid touches on several themes relevant to modern society including the dangers of AI, the illusion of control in a tech-dominated world and the impact of technology on parenting.
The social commentary on digital culture and the intrusion of technology into personal spaces is present but not compelling. The movie could have deeper into the psychological impact of living under constant surveillance or the erosion of privacy in the digital age.
Afraid’s biggest flaw is its lack of emotional and psychological depth. The characters’ reactions to the threatening presence of AIA are muted and unconvincing.
There is little exploration of the fear and paranoia that should accompany the realization that a machine is controlling their lives.
Curtis and Meredith’s responses to AIA’s actions are passive. Even when they become aware of the danger, their attempts to fight back are half-hearted and lack the urgency that would make the situation feel perilous.
Afraid’s climax, where Curtis attempts to destroy AIA’s mainframe is both predictable and anticlimactic.
The scene is meant to be the culmination of the family’s struggle against the AI, but it falls flat due to its lack of originality and the viewer’s awareness that physical destruction is futile in the face of cloud-based technology.
The resolution of the Afraid movie is unsatisfying. The final scenes leave several plot points unresolved and the film ends on a note that suggests a sequel.
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The Marvel Studios’ production Deadpool & Wolverine grossed another $3.6 million on Friday, a 26% drop from the previous week. The movie has been at the top of the box office for over a month, only briefly ceding the No. 1 position to Alien: Romulus during its opening weekend.
Estimates suggest that Deadpool & Wolverine will earn between $19 million and $20 million over the four-day Labor Day weekend.
The presidential biopic Reagan starring Dennis Quaid earned $2.6 million on Friday from 2,754 locations. The movie is projected to reach $9 million over the four-day weekend securing fourth place at the box office.
Despite negative reviews the movie received an A grade from CinemaScore. The film’s audience was over 35 years old with a 63% being 55 or older. Caucasians made up 78% of the viewers with 13% Latino, 1% Black and 2% other ethnicities.
Afraid grossed $1.3 million on Friday across 3,003 locations. The movie is projected to end the four-day weekend with around $4 million. The film has been met with lukewarm reviews, earning a C+ CinemaScore and a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Social media buzz has been negative with many viewers criticizing it as another uninspired AI-themed horror flick. The audience was fairly young with 56% aged between 18-34 years old. Diversity among viewers was huge with 43% Caucasian, 28% Latino and Hispanic, 14% Black and 10% Asian.
1992, a drama set during the L.A riots and starring Tyrese Gibson grossed an estimated $460,000 on its opening day from 875 locations. The film received an A- grade from CinemaScore.
City of Dreams, a human trafficking drama produced by Roadside Attractions grossed approximately $840,000 from 774 locations. The film’s earnings are expected to be bolstered by ticket sales funded by philanthropists who gave away free admissions to raise awareness of the film’s themes. The movie received an A CinemaScore.
Slingshot, a space thriller starring Laurence Fishburne and Casey Affleck grossed an estimated $250,000 from 845 locations. The film has received mediocre reviews.
Alien: Romulus continued to perform well earning $2.2 million on Friday. The movie is projected to bring in $11.75 million over the four-day weekend bringing its domestic total to $91.1 million after three weeks.
It Ends With Us is expected to gross $9.5 million over the four-day weekend bringing its domestic total to $135.7 million after four weeks.
Blink Twice is projected to earn $6.6 million over the four-day weekend,. The psychological thriller’s domestic total is expected to reach $17.3 million.
Twisters saw a slight increase in performance grossing $1.8 million on Friday. The film is expected to finish the weekend with $8.1 million.
Despicable Me 4 continues its run earning $850,000 on Friday and projecting a $5 million total over the four-day weekend. The film’s domestic total now stands at $355 million after nine weeks.
The original stage production of Daniel from Sight & Sound was broadcast live in theaters grossing $538,000 on Friday. The four-day total is expected to reach $2.5 million.
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