Chris Weitz’sAfAId, originally titledThey Listen, is a 2024 science fiction horror movie that takes a frightening look at the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in the modern world.AfrAIdcame out in the wake ofM3GAN, another science fiction horror film from Blumhouse that also blends horror with modern worries about tech and artificial intelligence, and got a little lost, buried beneath the excitement, novelty, and memeable dance sequences of that film. Instead of a doll,AfrAIdfocuses on an Alexa-like machine with sinister intentions. It’s like Disney’sSmart HousemeetsEx Machina.
When the movie was first announced in December 2022 with John Cho and Katherine Waterson,it was originally calledThey Listen(viaDeadline). The film was set for release in August 2023, originally (viaCollider), but the release date was then pushed back a year for unknown reasons for a Labor Day 2024 release (viaDeadline). It wasn’t until July 2024, a month before release, that the title was revealed to be,AfrAId(viaDeadline). With all these name changes and production delays, people may be wondering if the effort was worth the trouble.
AfrAId (Aka They Listen) Isn’t Worth Watching
AfrAId Doesn’t Deeply Explore Its Own Ideas
WhileAfrAIdhas some excellent performances from John Cho as Curtis and Katherine Waterson as Meredith,AfrAIdsimply doesn’t have enough going on to stand up against the manyexcellent techno horror moviesthat have flooded the genre, particularly in the late 2010s and 2020s. There are kernels of ideas throughoutAfrAIdbut none of them ever pay off as much as a viewer would hope. Each time it seems like the movie is about to investigate something more sinister or deep, it moves on to the next idea, leaving the film feeling flat and shallow.
Afraid 2024 Ending Explained: AIA’s Fate & Who The Masked Stalkers Are
Blumhouse’s 2024 A.I. horror movie Afraid has finally been released, and here is everything that happens in the end, explained, including AIA’s fate.
It’s possible that the delays and title change have hidden some production problems, resulting inAfrAIdfeeling disjointed, like each scene was written independently of the next.AfAIdis certainly not a complete disaster, and there are some creepy moments and images that may linger with viewers, but even these scenes have been done better in other movies.AfrAIdis not light enough to be a romp and not heavy enough to be a deep psychological look at artificial intelligence, placing it in the boring middle ground of horror movies.
AfrAId Is Available To Stream On Netflix
The Movie Is Also Available To Rent & Buy
For those still interested in watchingAfrAId,the film is available to stream on Netflix. The film first appeared on the service in November 2024. It’s unknown how long the movie will stay on the streamer. There are three Netflix plans to choose from: Standard with ads, which allows users to watch on two supported devices for $6.99/month; Standard, which also allows users to watch on two supported devices for $15.49/month; and Premium, which allows users to watch on four supported devices for $22.99/month.
$5.99
$9.99
$6.99
-
AfrAIdis also available to rent from Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, Microsoft, and Spectrum. The film can also be purchased from Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, and Microsoft.
Other Horror Movies About AI Worth Watching
Techno Horror Is A Popular Genre
Whether someone lovesAfrAIdand wants more, or hates it and wants a palate cleanser, there are plenty of other techno horror movies for fans to choose from. Some recent notable examples include the aforementionedM3GAN, as well as several celebrated movies likeEx Machina,Host, andUnfriended. Some earlier examples of the genre includeScanners,Videodrome, andThe Terminator.Y2Kis a techno horror comedy from Kyle Mooney that is currently out in theatersand could be just the movie for people wanting an updated (better) version ofAfrAId(They Listen).
AfrAId
Cast
AfrAId is a psychological thriller series set in a secluded small town. Following the mysterious disappearance of a local teenager, Sheriff Gregson, played by Eric Dane, struggles to uncover the dark secrets lurking within his community. As fear and suspicion grow, the townspeople wrestle with their own hidden pasts, creating an atmosphere of pervasive dread. Co-starring Jennifer Carpenter and Ethan Embry, the series delves into the chilling consequences of buried truths.
