By James “Magic” Perkins
If you had the tools and knowledge to change the world, would you keep it a secret? Can AI really develop feelings, and do they deserve their own life? These incredibly compelling and stimulating questions and more are explored in Franklin Ritch’s impressive feature debut, The Artifice Girl.
After developing a ground-breaking AI character called Cherry (portrayed with gravitas by Tatum Matthews), who is modelled to look like an 11-year-old girl to trap and convict online predators, Gareth (Ritch) is invited to team up with special agents Deena (Sinda Nichols) and Amos (David Girard) to give him all of the resources he needs to carry out his objective. As time passes, complex questions about morality, mortality, free will, and doing the right thing are thrust into the foreground of what is a spectacularly poignant yet empathetic look at AI, evolving technology, and human trauma.
Ritch’s expert writing and raw acting as this troubled yet determined genius manages to give audiences plenty to ponder on whilst also addressing very real issues in a sensitive fashion – and although any film with AI can be compared to the likes of Ex_Machina amongst others, this piece of storytelling stands on its own feet as a unique outlook on what the future could hold. Couple that with an always brilliant performance by the legendary Lance Henriksen, and you can see why this is a must-see film.
The Artifice Girl is a grounded, eye-opening, and thought-provoking sci-fi chamber piece that is perfectly paced, concisely acted, and asks the big, heavy-hitting questions; whilst also remaining highly engaging and thrilling through its narrative and sharp sub 90-minute runtime.
The Artifice Girl is released in US Cinemas on April 27th and VOD worldwide on May 1st. You can read our interview with the film’s director, writer, and actor, Franklin Ritch, here.
