Subservience Available on EST September 13th and TVOD Sep 20th
The fears surrounding technology and artificial intelligence are nothing new in sci-fi and horror, so the rise in cyber-fear is expected in today’s climate. Women, often seen as both beautiful and dangerous, have long been central to horror, with many stories featuring artificial or cyborg women seducing and killing their way through suburban landscapes. However, none of those characters have been played by Megan Fox, which is the main draw of S.K. Dale’s thriller "Subservience" (Till Death). Think of it as Westworld meets M3GAN—an older cousin, if you will. It’s a seductive and sexy sci-fi thriller with a touch of menace, reminding us that Fox still shines in the horror genre.
Subservience hinges on one key question we posed on social media: How long would you last with a robot Megan Fox in your house? At its core, the film touches on the responsibility of parents, especially in a world where we may be tempted to hand over the upbringing of our children to artificial beings. Much like filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun has shown us, we are film fans because we were raised by media. While televisions don’t have the legs and eyes of Fox, many of us may not have made it out of our childhood homes if they did.
Fox seems perfectly at home working with Dale again, and she convincingly plays the role of "Alice." As a student of her craft, Fox delivers, and horror fans are already familiar with her talents. Co-stars Michele Morrone and Matilda Firth round out the family dynamic, and the film explores grief with a strong performance from Madeline Zima as the mother. However, once the inevitable twist happens, the film falters—it tries to hold on to a narrative that no longer exists, where a descent into chaos would have been more satisfying.
Subservience is entertaining and sparks conversation but doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Still, Fox and the cast deliver solid performances that keep you engaged—at least to a point.
Rating: 2.5/5
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