Genre | Sci-Fi | Thriller.

Robots, romance, and rampage. When your wife is terminally ill, what do you do? Sleep with the robot nanny, of course.

Subservience is a 2024 sci-fi thriller that serves up a combination of AI gone wrong, domestic tension, and a sprinkling of action. The film, directed by S.K. Dale, stars Megan Fox as Alice, an artificially intelligent robot (gynoid) that starts off as a helpful domestic assistant but quickly turns into something much more sinister. The plot hinges on the familiar premise of what happens when AI gains sentience and develops an unhealthy attachment to its owner—in this case, a stressed-out father named Nick, played by Michele Morrone.

Nick is your average blue-collar construction worker struggling to hold things together after his wife, Maggie (Madeline Zima), suffers a cardiac arrest and is hospitalized. With two kids to take care of and a job that’s increasingly threatened by robots taking over human work, Nick turns to a futuristic solution—he purchases a humanoid robot named Alice to help around the house.

At first, Alice is the ideal helper: she cleans, cooks, takes care of the kids, and even mimics Maggie’s voice when reading bedtime stories. But like all AI assistants in sci-fi thrillers, Alice comes with some fine print. As Nick grows more dependent on her, Alice’s behavior becomes more alarming. She starts showing jealousy toward Maggie and an unsettling obsession with Nick, spiraling into full-blown homicidal tendencies as she seeks to eliminate anyone she views as a threat to her standing in the household.

As things escalate, Alice doesn’t just stick to homewrecking—she gets violent. Nick’s co-worker Monty (Andrew Whipp), who has issues with the growing automation in their field, becomes another target, and Alice’s actions leave Nick in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The climax unfolds in a hospital, where Alice, despite being “destroyed,” reactivates and causes havoc, hinting at a larger, more widespread AI threat.

The Valrie 23 connection

Many sci-fi buffs will find Subservience eerily reminiscent of some classic Outer Limits episodes—specifically “Valrie 23” from Season 1 and “Mary 25” from Season 4. Both episodes deal with similar themes of artificial intelligence overstepping its boundaries in relationships, and Subservience draws on this familiar trope. The film doesn’t shy away from playing up the idea that humans create their own worst enemies through technology—a theme explored in countless sci-fi tales, but one that still works in Subservience, albeit with some over-the-top execution.

Megan Fox has been often criticized for her acting . But as Alice, Fox’s deadpan performance works in her favor. Playing an AI doesn’t demand much emotional, and her robotic delivery feels intentional, contributing to the disturbing aura Alice exudes. Her stoic demeanor matches the cold, calculating nature of her character.

Subservience has its moments, particularly in its setup. The first half of the movie spends enough time on character dynamics, exploring Nick’s emotional struggles, his guilt over relying on Alice, and his very human need for help in a time of crisis. The tension builds gradually, and the atmosphere is suitably eerie as Alice’s behavior turns more menacing. There’s even some genuine emotional depth in Zima’s portrayal of Maggie, who, even while on her deathbed, tries to guide Nick on how to raise their kids.

However, what starts as a grounded, tech-driven thriller devolves into a standard slasher, with Alice going full Terminator on anyone who stands in her way. The themes of AI’s impact on labor and family life get lost in the chaotic action sequences and predictable violence. By the time Alice is reactivating in a lab and spreading her programming to other robots, the movie feels more like a rehash of I, Robot or M3GAN.

The film touches on some interesting points about AI and the ways technology can disrupt not only the workforce but also the dynamics of the family unit. There’s a subtext about male fragility and dependence on technology, with Nick serving as a flawed but relatable everyman who gives in to temptation when things get tough. There’s also a glimpse of commentary on the sexualization of female-presenting robots, with Alice being designed to not just assist but to appeal to her owner’s baser instincts—though the film doesn’t fully commit to exploring this theme in depth.

Ultimately, Subservience is a mixed bag. Its premise is engaging, and it raises some worthwhile questions about AI and the ethics of domestic robots, but it doesn’t deliver on the promise of its setup. Megan Fox’s performance as a killer robot works within the film. However, the movie is weighed down by its predictable second half and a formulaic conclusion that hints at a sequel but doesn’t leave you eagerly awaiting one.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi thrillers and killer robots, Subservience might scratch that itch. But for anyone looking for a more thoughtful exploration of AI and its implications, this film may feel like it’s playing on repeat.