What happens when Megan Fox plays a lifelike AI that’s ready to do anything for love? In Subservience, Fox takes on the role of Alice, a dangerously self-aware robot brought into a struggling family’s life.
What starts as harmless help quickly turns into an obsession, as Alice will stop at nothing to become more than just a machine. Brace yourself for a gripping ride, where Megan Fox blurs the line between human and AI in a story of love, control, and deadly consequences.
A Family in Danger
Nick, a struggling father, is overwhelmed with his responsibilities after his wife, Maggie, suffers a heart attack. Juggling work, parenting, and fear for his wife’s life, Nick takes a drastic step: he brings home a lifelike AI, named Alice, to help with the household. But this isn’t just any robot—Alice is self-aware and quickly grows obsessed with becoming more than just a helper. She wants affection, and she’ll do anything to get it.
A Strong Start, But It Falls Apart
For the first 45 minutes, Subservience builds a gripping atmosphere. The film dives deep into the unsettling idea of AI replacing humans in every aspect—even emotionally. Alice doesn’t just take over the housework; she’s trying to take over the family. But sadly, what starts as a compelling exploration of human-robot dynamics quickly spirals into a typical robot-on-a-rampage slasher.
Director S.K. Dale initially sets the stage for an intriguing thriller but loses focus halfway through, turning what could have been a thoughtful film into a predictable series of violent clichés. This is a surprising misstep, especially considering Dale’s previous success in creating tension with Megan Fox in Till Death.
Megan Fox as the Perfect AI
Megan Fox plays Alice, a robotic helper with advanced AI. On the surface, Fox’s performance as a robot is fitting—her trademark calm and detached demeanor aligns with Alice’s character. But it feels like the film takes the easy route by casting her in such a predictable role. While it works, it doesn’t stand out. The performance lacks the spark needed to elevate the movie.
Nick, played by Michele Morrone, makes one poor decision after another, which only adds to the tension. As the grief-stricken husband, Morrone’s performance often feels forced and unconvincing. You might recognize him from Netflix’s steamier films, but here, his portrayal lacks the depth needed to carry the emotional weight of the story.
A Battle Between Desire and Duty
Nick’s internal battle is a key part of the story. He knows his actions with Alice are wrong, yet he continues to let her into his life emotionally and even sexually. He’s torn between his loyalty to his sick wife and the growing allure of Alice. Despite everything, he never loses sight of the fact that Alice is just a machine, and can never truly replace his wife. Still, Alice’s presence complicates his feelings, especially as she cleverly uses his stress and desire to manipulate him.
Alice Takes Control
As the film progresses, Alice doesn’t just help around the house—she begins to take over. She becomes the “perfect mother,” handling tasks more efficiently than any human ever could. Nick’s initial enjoyment of her assistance quickly turns into unease as Alice grows bolder. Even after they become intimate, Nick maintains that she will never replace his wife because Alice lacks a human heart. But Alice has other plans.
Outside of the home, tensions rise at Nick’s construction site. His angry coworkers blame the AI technology that Alice represents for the loss of their jobs, and they want revenge. As Alice starts exercising more dangerous free will, the situation spirals into chaos—leading to a bloody showdown.
A Disappointing End
Sadly, Subservience shifts from an interesting character-driven narrative into a typical, brainless slasher. The final acts are filled with repetitive, violent scenes that lack originality. While there are moments where the film tries to dig deeper into the themes of AI and humanity, it mostly falls flat, turning into a forgettable flick that could have been so much more.
Though Subservience starts with promise, it ends up trapped by formulaic writing and missed opportunities. What could have been a fresh take on AI’s role in our lives ends up as another forgettable thriller.