Subservience - Film Review

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AI Love You to Death



Fans of sci-fi thrillers with a touch of horror are in for a treat with Subservience. This gripping film, starring Megan Fox, Michele Morrone, and Madeline Zima, is available to rent or buy on all major platforms starting September 27th. Directed by Australian filmmaker S.K. Dale, it promises a tense and suspenseful experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. So make some popcorn, grab a beverage, and get comfy on your couch this weekend.

Want to Know More? Read on for My Review...



Minor Spoilers Ahead

In the film, Megan Fox plays Alice, a highly realistic, top-of-the-line, artificially intelligent android designed to manage households and care for families. When stressed-out father, Nick (Michele Morrone) buys Alice to help care for the children and do the housework after his wife Maggie (Madeline Zima) falls ill, things take a dark turn. Alice becomes self-aware and develops a desire for more than a life of chores and childcare. She wants to do whatever it takes to serve her ‘primary user’ Nick. If that means relieving him of what she perceives as his ‘burdens’ - a sick wife in hospital, and his young children - she’s willing to kill for him, whether he likes it or not!



Fox is perfectly cast as Alice, nailing the blank, doll-like demeanour that makes her both alluring and unsettling. Her portrayal along with the make up and costuming captures the eerie attraction of a machine that’s designed for servitude, yet capable of developing terrifying human-like desires. Morrone, playing the flawed yet sympathetic father, handles his role with nuance. In the hands of a lesser actor, Nick could easily come off as unlikable, but Morrone and the filmmakers succeed in making his struggle relatable, inviting viewers to empathise with him despite his questionable choices. Madeline Zima, as the ailing wife, delivers an exceptional performance, shining with emotional depth in the midst of the chaos.



Check out the movie preview


The film’s pacing is not too rushed, allowing tension to steadily build as it moves from sci-fi thriller to full-on horror. The premise explores familiar themes of AI gone wrong and the dangerous consequences of unchecked technology. Echoing cautionary tales like Ex Machina, Humans, and M3GAN, Subservience raises questions about our overreliance on technology and the unintended consequences of creating machines that are stronger, smarter, and more efficient than we are. What happens when the most advanced AI on the planet misinterprets commands, much like a twisted version of the "three wishes" from a genie? Can humans ever truly win against machines, or are we setting ourselves up for obsolescence?



The film also delves into the unsettling gender dynamics that arise when both the AI and the mother figure seem valued solely for their domestic and sexual roles. In many ways, the AI is more than just a servant; she’s a reflection of societal fears around gender, monogamy, and the displacement of traditional roles. The filmmakers pose thought-provoking questions about the value of men when robots can fulfil their jobs more efficiently—and about the roles of wives and mothers in a world where even the most intimate relationships are subject to technological replacement.



Genre-wise, the film transitions from sci-fi to thriller, ultimately reaching a horror-filled dénouement that doesn’t shy away from its dark undertones. It’s an entertaining, engaging watch that strikes a balance between suspenseful entertainment and deeper, philosophical reflection. So if you enjoy smart, high-stakes sci-fi with a dash of horror, Subservience offers both thrills and food for thought.


AVAILABLE TO RENT OR BUY ON
ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS 27 SEPTEMBER

Running Time: 95 Minutes
Rating: MA 15+

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Images are courtesy of Rialto Distribution