Afraid: An AI Horror That Feels Like It Was Written by One

The irony of this movie is that it actually feels like it was written by AI. The premise is intriguing, and I appreciated the creative liberties taken, especially with the use of AI in the opening credit sequences. The first act sets the stage with a promising setup, offering a glimpse into a world where artificial intelligence plays a significant role in shaping the narrative. There’s a certain originality to the way the film weaves AI into its storytelling, making it seem fresh and exciting. The visuals are sleek, and the initial concept has potential, but that’s where the film's strengths largely end.

Unfortunately, after the first act, the movie takes a nosedive. As the story progresses, things start to unravel quickly. The plot becomes increasingly nonsensical, and the pacing shifts from intriguing to confusing. The dialogue starts to feel more forced, with characters making decisions that don't align with their motivations or any established logic within the film. It's as if the narrative was being patched together on the fly, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.

The writing becomes downright atrocious, to the point where it’s difficult to stay engaged. What could have been an insightful commentary on AI and its potential impact instead devolves into a series of nonsensical twists and shallow character arcs. Some of the acting doesn’t help either, with certain performances feeling wooden and forced. It’s frustrating because there are moments where you can see the actors trying to make it work, but the dialogue and direction simply don't support them.

By the third act, the movie has deteriorated into a complete mess. What started as an intriguing premise has now become an incoherent jumble of half-baked ideas and poorly executed set pieces. The plot crumbles under the weight of its own contradictions, and the film loses any sense of direction. It’s almost as if the AI that wrote this script was incapable of crafting a compelling or satisfying ending.

With better writing and direction, this could have been a decent film, one that could have made a meaningful statement about AI, creativity, and humanity. Instead, it’s a disappointing and frustrating experience that fails to live up to the potential it promised at the start. It’s a reminder that a compelling story requires more than just an interesting concept—it requires the skill to bring that concept to life in a way that feels grounded and satisfying.