Morgan
The brief
Luke Scott's directorial debut feels like a sterile corporate thriller masquerading as sci-fi horror, with Kate Mara's cold risk assessor squaring off against Anya Taylor-Joy's unnervingly human AI creation. The film maintains an antiseptic, lab-like atmosphere throughout, building tension through psychological manipulation rather than jump scares, though it never quite commits fully to either approach. Taylor-Joy delivers another unsettling performance that makes you question what's happening behind those calculating eyes, while the supporting cast gets lost in underdeveloped roles. Perfect for fans of Ex Machina who don't mind a more conventional, less philosophical take on artificial intelligence gone wrong.
The verdict
If you enjoyed Ex Machina but want something more straightforward and less cerebral, this delivers solid AI thriller tension with Anya Taylor-Joy's chilling performance anchoring the corporate lab setting. If you're looking for either genuine scares or deep philosophical exploration of artificial intelligence, this lukewarm hybrid approach will leave you wanting more substance.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewers who enjoy cerebral sci-fi thrillers
- ⚠️ Avoid if you prefer action-heavy horror films
Heads up
- Violence against artificial beings (moderate)
- Psychological manipulation and mind games (moderate)
- Some violent confrontations (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Luke Scott
- Cast
- Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Rose Leslie, Boyd Holbrook, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Official synopsis
A corporate risk-management consultant must determine whether or not to terminate an artificial being's life that was made in a laboratory environment.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Subservience (2024)
Both explore artificial beings threatening human control and safety.
Total runtime: 1h 32m + 1h 45m = 3h 17m
