Danvers Mail

Autonomy and AI: a Thrilling Exploration of the Convergence of Technology and Humanity

MOVIE REVIEW
The Artifice Girl

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Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Franklin Ritch
Writer(s): Franklin Ritch
Cast: Tatum Matthews, Lance Henriksen, Sinda Nichols, David Girard, Franklin Ritch, Ivana Barnes, Thomas Hamby, Alyssa Moody, Rashaud Sessions
Where To Watch: premiere, held at the 2023 Overlook Film Festival, in select theaters, On Digital and On Demand on April 27, 2023


RAVING REVIEW: Diving into the ever-evolving realm of artificial intelligence (such as M3GAN,) THE ARTIFICE GIRL is a riveting tech thriller that spans “a lifetime” and unfolds through conversation. The film boasts some exceptional performances, becoming more of an experience than just a movie, keeping you engaged and thinking throughout, especially with the rise of real-world AI technology such as ChatGPT and others.


The central themes of THE ARTIFICE GIRL revolve around AI being a potential equal or even superior to humans, deserving autonomy as technology advances. The film looks at possible conflicts that arise when these creations possess desires and goals that clash with ours. It navigates these themes through engaging conversations among the central cast of characters, including the AI itself.

Questions abound from the moment we encounter the AI on a large screen, with the cast taking different sides of the argument. The distinction between “her” and a person becomes increasingly blurred as the AI embraces poetry, painting, and more.

THE ARTIFICE GIRL's understated nature and thought-provoking themes make it an unforgettable experience. The script effortlessly blends various elements throughout the film without overemphasizing them. Stress is introduced in the movie through visuals and thought contemplation more than the story itself.

THE ARTIFICE GIRL is a clever exploration of autonomy and perceived “rights.” If you think you’ve seen this story before, you haven’t. As mentioned above, this is about modern-day AI, not a take like THE TERMINATOR but more along the lines of what we see today with substantial leaps in the real world of AI.

THE ARTIFICE GIRL asks complex moral questions at the crossroads of humanity and artificial intelligence. Through solid performances and a thought-provoking narrative, the film invites viewers to grapple with these challenging issues and consider their position in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology.

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[photo courtesy of XYZ FILMS]