Spoiler-Free Review of “AFRAID” (2024) on Demand: The Screen Time Premise is Getting Exhausting…

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I feel like it’s listening to us all the time…”

AFRAID released in theaters on August 30th 2024 and is now available to stream on Demand as of September 17th 2024. The sci-fi horror film stars John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, and David Dastmalchian. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

A marketing executive is selected to take home a new digital device named AIA to organize his family’s life, but when AIA thinks she knows what’s best for his family, she begins to take control of every situation, threatening their safety in the process.

Here is the trailer:

AFRAID channels M3gan in a lot of ways, but its gimmicky plot and cheap scares do little to enhance this viewing experience. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Talented cast.

I’m always happy to see John Cho in horror films and I thought this film had a pretty recognizable cast, which was a plus. Havana Rose Liu stole the film for me. She is quickly becoming one of my new favorite actresses. I loved her in No Exit and Bottoms. She managed to be charming and eerie at the same time with her portrayal. I just wish she got a better film…

Unfortunately the pros stop here…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Uninspiring plot.

I just recently watched Subservience starring Megan Fox (which also channeled M3gan), but that film was a lot more interesting than AFRAID. I’ve seen too many movies with the AI taking over theme recently and while some have clever takes on it, this film fails to say anything new. The plot felt lazy and that ending was atrocious.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Lack of suspense.

I would have been fine with the overdone plot if this movie was actually scary. Instead it relied on cheesy jump scares, which was beyond frustrating. There was one scene that actually had potential, but it cut away from it before showing us anything that violent or frightening. It just felt like they phoned it in with this film and didn’t really care to put in any real effort here.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

AFRAID fails to deliver with nothing new to say, but at least Havana Rose Liu ate up every ounce of screen time.

Still better than Night Swim though…

I hope you enjoyed the review and please feel free to share your thoughts on AFRAID in the comments section!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

My young adult revenge thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Subservience” on Demand: Megan Fox Stars as a Robot in this Soapy Version of M3GAN

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“How can we simplify your life?”

Subservience released on Demand on September 13th 2024. The sci-fi thriller film stars Megan Fox, Michele Morrone, and Madeline Zima. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

After his wife falls ill, a struggling father purchases an AI Android named Alice to help out around the house, but when Alice begins to become self-aware, she decides that she wants to have her primary user all to herself, risking everyone’s life around him.

Here is the trailer:

Subservience takes a page out of M3GAN’S script and gives us a predictable, but guilty pleasure worthy thriller to indulge in. Is it your next weekend watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of XYZ Films

Megan Fox easily steps into this role with flair.

I’ve been really enjoying Megan Fox thrillers lately. Till Death quickly became one of my new favorites and she puts forth a valiant effort here in Subservience. While this thriller had a very different feel to it and leaned more toward the sci-fi genre, it still had enough outrageous soapy thrills to hold my attention. It’s one of those trashy thrillers you can enjoy on a rainy weekend with a glass of wine. If that’s your jam, then you’ll enjoy this one and Megan Fox is absolutely flawless in this role.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of XYZ Films

Nothing new here.

Some of the scenes seemed like they were ripped right out of the M3GAN movie. This film followed a different story-line, but it still took quite a lot from other films. The outcome was also really predictable and the ending felt slightly anticlimactic. I also preferred the scenes that stayed within the family drama. I didn’t need this film to branch out into a potential war against AI Androids. At times, it felt like it was doing a little too much, but luckily it circled back to its core plot.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of XYZ Films

I’m in!!!

Subservience checks off every box that a soapy and guilty pleasure thriller should. It didn’t do anything new here, but it had solid pacing and enough thrills to hold my attention until the end.

As long as you manage your expectations, you’ll enjoy this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Subservience in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rulethey can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!