Subservience is the latest in a long line of sci-fi thrillers about the dangers of AI. Unfortunately, it is also one of the least original or creative. The only distinction the film can claim is the fact that it cast Megan Fox as its leading lady. While the film tries to delve into a provocative and alluring angle that has yet to be explored in depth in films about artificial intelligence, it falters and becomes a simple cautionary tale about out-of-control robots.
When Nick’s (Michele Morrone) wife (Madeline Zima) is ill, he hires help to care for his home and children in the form of a highly advanced AI robot (Fox). His daughter loves the robot and decided to call her Alice after reading Alice in Wonderland. As with any other AI thriller, things go south when Nick gives Alice the exact commands that lead to her malfunction. Things spiral out of control, and Nick has to fight to save his family.
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Subservience has about as much soul as Alice the AI
The issue is not the fact that Subservience Repeats a trend that seems to be taking over the sci-fi thriller space, but the fact that it makes no real effort to be unique. The film is no cinematic masterpiece, but it is well-shot and features a cast that has the talent to turn it into something special. Unfortunately, the story never becomes anything more than a rehashed gimmick.
Alice may have been a fascinating character, but she falls into the category of the sexy soulless robot.
While Subservience Has the potential to be unique, with Alice with open links from Lewis Carroll’s work and the robot initially showing signs of developing beyond its programming, it all falls quickly with nothing to show for it. Alice may have been a fascinating character, but she falls into the category of the sexy soulless robot.
It’s a real shame because, despite the space being cramped, there’s room to innovate and explore other sides of AI in the movie. Some films approach questions of morality, what it means to be human and how simple it can be to believe that a robot is more than wires and metal, but Subservience Hardly tries to approach any question beyond, “What if AI broke protocol?” As a result, a talented cast and premise that had potential was wasted.
Subservience is more interested in aesthetics than history
While the story takes a back seat, at least the movie looks good visually. The technology, special effects and general settings are all great. Despite an underwhelming story, it was put time and care Subserviences final edit. Combined with the talents of the cast, the film becomes palatable – as long as you don’t expect creativity or nuance.
The disappointment ultimately comes from realizing what the movie could have been, and how it didn’t reach its potential.
Subservience is not a terrible film, and the pacing is good enough to keep us invested for at least three-quarters of the runtime without feeling like our time was wasted. The disappointment ultimately comes from realizing what the movie could have been, and how it didn’t reach its potential. With a little more thought, and some effort made to elevate the story beyond sexy killer robots, it could have carved out a niche as a cult hit, but Subservience falls short.
Subservience Now playing in theaters. The film is 95 minutes long and rated R for sexual content/nudity, language, some violence and brief drug material.
A struggling father buys a domestic AI to help run the household. But the situation soon turns deadly when the light robot develops an obsessive attachment to her new owner. Driven by a twisted sense of loyalty, she becomes determined to eliminate what she perceives as the true threat to his happiness: his family.
- Megan Fox gives her all in the role of Alice the AI
- The first act of the film has an interesting setup
- Most of the characters were too simplistic and one-dimensional
- The rest of the film fails to deliver on the promise of the first act