Likely prompted by advancements in the tool itself,AI-focused movieshave become increasingly popular in recent years. These range from horror-dark comedies such asM3GANorCompanion, and more serious dramas like Kogonada’sAfter Yang. Apple TV+ recently released thetrailer forMurderbot, a TV series that focuses on the trials of an AI robot created in service to humans. The fascination with AI projects itself onto film and TV through the exploration of themes of free will and/or the dangers of the technology.
Scarlett Johanssonhas assumed an interesting place in the AI-verse. The actor has been in films related to the topic, but before artificial intelligence was as oft-discussed as it is now. She played the voice of the AI-supported operating system that Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with in the 2013 movieHer, which prompted discussion on AI-related issues in the dawn of our Siri-obsessed age. Now, another one of Johansson’s AI-based movies is trending on streaming.
Lucy Is Doing Well On Streaming
The Movie Has A Unique Take On AI
Lucyhas made its way onto the streaming charts. Described as an artificial intelligence action thriller, theLuc Besson-directed movieoffers a different take on AI. Rather than a computer-driven system,the movie sees its eponymous character become biochemically alteredto enhance her intelligence. In addition to Johansson,the film features a leading cast including Morgan Freeman, Amr Waked, and Choi Min-sik. Lucygot mixed reviews at the time of its release, getting a67% Tomatatometerand just a 47% Popcornmeter from audiences.
According toFlixPatrol,Lucyis now trending on Netflix.The film made it to the no. 4 sloton the platform’s top 10 films in the United States today, April 10. While it lost out toOne of Them Days,The Life List, andThe Croods,Lucyranked higher than the filmsThe Hating Game,Geostorm,Despicable Me 4,The Dark Knight,I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, andThe Dad Quest.
What This Means For Lucy
Johansson Is About To Have A Big Year
Lucy’s emerging success on Netflix could be due to several factors. For one, Johansson’s name may be circulating in the news more often, as she is in the upcoming filmJurassic World: Rebirthas well asWes Anderson’sThe Phoenician Scheme, the latter of which just released a trailer earlier this week. The film’s delayed streaming success could also be indicative, however, of viewers' increasing interest in AI as a topic. As a 2014 release,Lucywas discussing intelligence enhancements before this recent AI wave, making it an interesting entry into the AI thriller subgenre.
Lucy
Cast
Scarlet Johansson stars as the title character in Luc Besson’s 2014 sci-fi thriller Lucy, where a young woman who’s forced to work as a drug mule accidentally develops superhuman abilities after an experimental drug leaks into her system. She is pursued by drug lord Mr. Jang (Choi Min-sik) and helped by both Professor Samuel Norman (Morgan Freeman) and police captain Pierre Del Rio (Amr Waked) while she unlocks skills far beyond 10% of the human brain’s capacity.
