Director Luca Guadagnino, known for acclaimed films like Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All, tackles the burgeoning world of artificial intelligence in Artificial. The film centers on Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, chronicling the intense and often fraught development of ChatGPT, a technology that has rapidly reshaped global discourse around AI.
Originally, the film was set to be distributed by MGM Amazon. However, the studio abruptly abandoned the project. While no official reason was given, the timing raised eyebrows, as the decision coincided with a substantial $50 billion agreement between Amazon and OpenAI. This peculiar turn of events fueled speculation that Amazon's burgeoning partnership with the AI giant led them to distance themselves from a film that might offer a critical or controversial look at its origins.
Fortunately for cinephiles and those eager to see the story unfold, Neon stepped in to acquire the film, ensuring its release. Artificial boasts a compelling cast, including Andrew Garfield, Yura Borisov, Mark Rylance, and Cooper Hoffman, among others. Its recent presentation at the New York Film Festival marked a significant moment, offering critics their first look at Guadagnino's take on the highly topical subject.
Initial critical reception, as reported by Ecran Large, has been largely positive, though not without nuance. The film currently holds a respectable 74/100 on Metacritic, indicating a generally favorable, albeit mixed, response. Many critics have praised Guadagnino's distinctive style and the film's timely relevance.
The Hollywood Reporter lauded the film, stating, "This film ranks among Guadagnino’s finest works: its deadpan humor lulls us before the hammer drops on a frightening reality." Variety echoed this sentiment, remarking, "The result is both inspiring and deeply chilling; one finds oneself transformed. This is exactly what a film inspired by real events should do." However, some reviews, like that from IndieWire, offered a more tempered view: "This dark comedy doesn't stand up to the sharpness of Sorkin’s writing on The Social Network, its grotesque side preventing meaning in important details."
Andrew Garfield's performance, in particular, has garnered significant attention, with some outlets already positioning him as a potential contender for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. His portrayal of Altman is noted for its intensity and complexity, anchoring the film's exploration of ambition and innovation in the AI space.
Artificial is slated for a theatrical release in the United States on December 25. As of now, the film does not have a distributor or a release date in France, leaving international audiences eagerly awaiting news on how and when they will be able to experience Guadagnino's latest cinematic endeavor.