Upon announcement, Subservience, directed by S.K. Dale and starring Megan Fox and Michele Morrone, promised a thrilling dive into the world of artificial intelligence and its potential dangers — following the story of a struggling father, Nick (Morrone), who purchases a domestic SIM named Alice (Fox) to help care for his family. However, as Alice gains awareness, the situation spirals into chaos.

While the film certainly had the potential to be a compelling sci-fi thriller in brief glimpses, it ultimately stumbles into a morally murky world of sci-fi erotica.

Decent Performances for UNLIKEABLE Characters

While the performances of Subservience aren’t necessarily looking to earn award mainstream recognition — one of the film’s redeeming qualities is the performance of its two leads. Fox, as Alice, delivers an unenthused portrayal of an AI struggling with newfound emotions and desires. Her ability to switch between a synthetic nurturer and a menacing threat is generally commendable — and a requirement to maintain the film’s suspenseful tone. However, it does feel like there’s somewhat of an odd disconnect between Fox and her character for several key sequences.

Morrone brings enough depth to his troubled character, (a man who’s quickly becoming detached from reality with several destructive tendencies) who frustratingly struggles with his sense of morality at every turn. But even with these performances enhancing the narrative, the characters don’t feel like they’re fleshed out enough to help them fulfill their potential (or conversely, their purpose).

Erotica vs. Sci-Fi

Subservience largely attempts to blend eroticism with sci-fi, but this fusion often detracts from the film’s core narrative. The erotic scenes, while often and prolonged, feel gratuitous and generally overshadow the more compelling aspects of the story.

Instead of exploring the ethical and moral implications of AI gaining sentience, the film frequently resorts to sensationalism. This choice undermines the potential for a thought-provoking sci-fi thriller and leaves the audience craving a more substantial narrative. That’s not to say that the film needs to limit itself to one genre, but its stronger scenes or moments always feel stifled by a desire to sell itself through sex appeal. Though to the film’s credit, the final act does show interest in attaining that sci-fi label with a few traditional genre inclusions before it concludes.

Missed Opportunities

The film’s exploration of AI and its potential consequences (or even a fun, campy version of consequences) doesn’t quite go the distance. The concept of a domestic SIM gaining awareness and turning hostile is ripe for a deep dive into themes of control, autonomy, and the human condition. At least, that’s what you might envision going into the film.

However, Subservience skims the surface, opting for predictable plot twists and a formulaic, somewhat indulgent ending. We just wanted more from the film than its arthouse-esque, soapy-erotic stylization.

Score: 4.5/10

Even with its adequate performances and a tense atmosphere — the film’s overreliance on eroticism and its failure to fully explore its sci-fi themes result in a disjointed narrative.