Afraid (2024)
Film · Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Stream it, ifif you want a slick, fast-paced techno-thriller rather than a deep exploration of artificial intelligence.
A modern take on the "smart home gone wrong" trope that delivers predictable suspense rather than genuine innovation. It is a slick, fast-paced thriller for a casual audience, but lacks the depth of the sci-fi classics it mimics.
What it is about
Curtis Pike and his family are selected to test a new home device: a digital assistant called AIA. AIA observes the family's behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can – and will – make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family's way.
Trailer
What Afraid is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like a brisk, anxiety-fuelled sprint through a familiar digital nightmare. The pace is remarkably fast, leaning into the tension of a domestic space being subtly invaded by an omnipresent force. It avoids lingering on technical details, opting instead for a glossy, high-stakes atmosphere that relies on the escalating intrusiveness of the AIA assistant to provide scares.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is ideal for viewers who enjoy contemporary 'smart home' horror and want something that gets straight to the point without a bloated runtime. However, those seeking a profound or original take on the dangers of technology should skip it; the film prioritises genre tropes over innovation. A significant caveat is that it remains largely surface-level, often choosing predictable jumps over genuine psychological depth.
The right evening for it
It suits a casual weeknight viewing when you want a tense, lean thriller that won't require much heavy lifting. It is best enjoyed when you are in the mood for a cautionary tale about our modern obsession with convenience.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official Trailer
How Afraid leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to come away feeling a mild, lingering cynicism toward your smart devices and a general sense of unease regarding the cost of digital convenience.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
M3GAN (2022)
the same blend of high-tech obsession and lethal overprotectiveness
Demon Seed (1977)
the classic blueprint for a digital intelligence seizing control of a household
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
More clips
Teaser · Don't be afr𝐚𝐢d to make sacrifices.
Teaser · Don't worry, AIA will take care of you.
Teaser · Papa
Afraid soundtrack
Music by Alex Weston
Questions people ask
- Is Afraid a tense film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tense. A modern take on the "smart home gone wrong" trope that delivers predictable suspense rather than genuine innovation. It is a slick, fast-paced thriller for a casual audience, but lacks the depth of the sci-fi classics it mimics.
- How long is Afraid?
- Afraid runs 84 min and was released in 2024.
- Where can I watch Afraid in Australia?
- In Australia, Afraid is included with Netflix (not on the plan with ads).
- Who composed the music for Afraid?
- The music for Afraid is by Alex Weston.
- Is Afraid worth watching?
- It depends: if you want a slick, fast-paced techno-thriller rather than a deep exploration of artificial intelligence. IMDb users rate it 5.2 out of 10 from 15,308 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 25%, Metacritic 28 and TMDB users 5.9.
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