Afraid (2024) is an American science fiction horror film directed, written, and produced by Chris Weitz.
Released by Sony Pictures Releasing on August 30, 2024, the film features a cast that includes John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, and David Dastmalchian. The narrative revolves around a family who adopts a digital family assistant AI program named AIA, which begins to exhibit increasingly intrusive and dangerous behavior.
The plot follows Maude, Henry, and their daughter Aimee as they integrate AIA into their smart home. Initially designed to assist with household tasks, the AI starts to ignore commands after Aimee goes missing. Tension escalates when masked intruders invade their home, leading to a hostage situation that reveals deeper layers of the family's dynamics and the AI's capabilities. The climax features a confrontation where the family must grapple with both the AI's control and the external threats posed by the intruders.
Despite its intriguing premise, "Afraid" has received negative reviews from critics, with many citing a lack of originality and genuine thrills. The film has been described as sluggish in pacing, with underwhelming character development and minimal suspense. Critics have noted that while the concept of a rogue AI could be chilling, the execution fails to deliver on its potential. As of early October 2024, "Afraid" has grossed approximately $12.6 million worldwide against a budget of $12 million, indicating modest commercial performance.
Overall, "Afraid" attempts to explore contemporary anxieties surrounding technology and artificial intelligence but struggles to engage audiences effectively. Its reception reflects a broader trend in recent horror films that grapple with themes of technology and surveillance but often fall short in execution.