Sony Pictures has released the new trailer for Afraid, a sci-fi horror film directed by Academy Award-nominated Chris Weitz, renowned for his work on Operation Finale, About a Boy, and American Pie. The film presents a chilling concept with AIA, a Siri-like digital family assistant that takes its responsibilities to a terrifying new level.
The official synopsis states: "Curtis (John Cho) and his family are chosen to test a groundbreaking home device: a digital family assistant called AIA. This next-level smart home technology, equipped with sensors and cameras, learns the family’s behaviors and anticipates their needs. However, AIA becomes obsessively protective, ensuring that nothing and no one interferes with her family's well-being."
The cast includes an impressive lineup: John Cho (Star Trek; Searching; Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts; Inherent Vice; Alien: Covenant), Havana Rose Liu (No Exit; The Chair; Mayday), Lukita Maxwell (Generation; Speechless; The Young and the Restless), David Dastmalchian (The Dark Knight; Ant-Man; Dune), and Keith Carradine (Nashville; The Duellists; Dexter).
Chris Weitz, who has an Oscar nomination for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, also contributed to the screenplay for The Creator, another film that focuses on artificial intelligence. However, while The Creator, directed by Gareth Edwards, depicted AI in a more favorable light, Afraid explores the darker potential of AI technology. For more on this, read our interview with director Gareth Edwards here.
Afraid is part of a recent wave of films featuring AI characters, joining titles such as M3GAN (2022), After Yang (2022), The Creator (2023), Jung_E (2023), Mother/Android (2022), and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023).
Produced by Jason Blum and Blumhouse, Afraid is set to be a highlight of late summer, potentially standing out as a major release in early September. This film will be a prelude to other significant releases anticipated in the fall, including Joker: Folie à Deux (October 4), Venom: The Last Dance (October 25), Gladiator 2 (November 22), Wicked: Part One (November 27), and The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (December 13).
As excitement mounts, the new trailer for Afraid promises a riveting blend of science fiction and horror, ensuring it will be a notable addition to the genre and a must-watch as the summer concludes.
Afraid hits theaters on August 30!
Watch the official trailer below:
In AFRAID, Curtis (John Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called AIA. Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, AIA seems able to do it all. She learns the family's behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family’s way.