CostelloGuy

I didn't expect too much from Afraid but it proved to be an entertaining watch provided you accept it for what it is - a brisk little AI related thriller and not heavy sci-fi.

John Cho and Katherine Waterston are fine actors who manage to portray a fairly believable family dynamic despite not having a whole lot to work with in terms of character detail or back story and the occasional moments of klunky dialogue. Between them they manage to lift proceedings where lesser actors would probably make this more likely to go straight to streaming or disc.

Where it does score is the undeniably creepy AI and the way it easily relates to the characters. Wisely it has a short running time so doesn't out stay its welcome.

It got me thinking about other recent AI or tech related movies like Megan, T. I. M and Kimi and if you liked any of these I reckon most would quite enjoy Afraid.

I was also thinking about House/Wife (previously known as Ivy), the movie Netflix completed but didn't release reportedly for tax reasons. Afraid did seem to feature a lot of this movie's reported plot details and it would have been fun to see just how many. Thanks Netflix.

Thoroughly enjoyable action/Sci fi thriller with Ben Affleck and Alice Braga excellent in the lead roles providing a real spark and bringing the humanity to characters that this genre sometimes lacks.

The constant Christopher Nolan comparisons are, I believe, a little unfair. Apart from one special effects shot like a scene in Inception and a requirement to suspend belief (required in pretty much everything Sci fi related) I think Hypnotic is very much its own movie.

Far more enjoyable for me than any superhero movie or bloated franchise fodder, I don't want to get into the story - the less you know going in the better - just go with it and enjoy.

Terrific hard-boiled crime drama, great storytelling with some sly humour to lighten the mood. Carla Gugino is the star but all players can be proud of themselves. Somehow or other a second season has to happen!