They Listen: Is Blumhouse’s AfrAId Worth Watching?

Chris Weitz’s AfAId, originally тιтled They Listen, is a 2024 science fiction horror movie that takes a frightening look at the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in the modern world. AfrAId came out in the wake of M3GAN, another science fiction horror film from Blumhouse that also blends horror with modern worries about tech and artificial intelligence, and got a little lost, buried beneath the excitement, novelty, and memeable dance sequences of that film. Instead of a doll, AfrAId focuses on an Alexa-like machine with sinister intentions. It’s like Disney’s Smart House meets Ex Machina.

When the movie was first announced in December 2022 with John Cho and Katherine Waterson, it was originally called They Listen (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline). The film was set for release in August 2023, originally (via Collider), but the release date was then pushed back a year for unknown reasons for a Labor Day 2024 release (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline). It wasn’t until July 2024, a month before release, that the тιтle was revealed to be, AfrAId (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline). With all these name changes and production delays, people may be wondering if the effort was worth the trouble.

AfrAId (Aka They Listen) Isn’t Worth Watching

AfrAId Doesn’t Deeply Explore Its Own Ideas

While AfrAId has some excellent performances from John Cho as Curtis and Katherine Waterson as Meredith, AfrAId simply doesn’t have enough going on to stand up against the many excellent techno horror movies that have flooded the genre, particularly in the late 2010s and 2020s. There are kernels of ideas throughout AfrAId but none of them ever pay off as much as a viewer would hope. Each time it seems like the movie is about to investigate something more sinister or deep, it moves on to the next idea, leaving the film feeling flat and shallow.

It’s possible that the delays and тιтle change have hidden some production problems, resulting in AfrAId feeling disjointed, like each scene was written independently of the next. AfAId is certainly not a complete disaster, and there are some creepy moments and images that may linger with viewers, but even these scenes have been done better in other movies. AfrAId is not light enough to be a romp and not heavy enough to be a deep psychological look at artificial intelligence, placing it in the boring middle ground of horror movies.

AfrAId Is Available To Stream On Netflix

The Movie Is Also Available To Rent & Buy


A distorted AI family on a phone in AfrAId.
Image via Sony Pictures

For those still interested in watching AfrAId, the film is available to stream on Netflix. The film first appeared on the service in November 2024. It’s unknown how long the movie will stay on the streamer. There are three Netflix plans to choose from: Standard with ads, which allows users to watch on two supported devices for $6.99/month; Standard, which also allows users to watch on two supported devices for $15.49/month; and Premium, which allows users to watch on four supported devices for $22.99/month.

Rent & Buy AfrAId

Platform

Rent

Buy

Amazon Prime

$5.99

$9.99

Apple TV

$5.99

$9.99

Fandango

$5.99

$9.99

Microsoft

$5.99

$9.99

Spectrum

$6.99

AfrAId is also available to rent from Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, Microsoft, and Spectrum. The film can also be purchased from Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, and Microsoft.

Other Horror Movies About AI Worth Watching


Curtis (John Cho) and his family looking terrified of something in AfrAId.
Image via Sony Pictures

Whether someone loves AfrAId and wants more, or hates it and wants a palate cleanser, there are plenty of other techno horror movies for fans to choose from. Some recent notable examples include the aforementioned M3GAN, as well as several celebrated movies like Ex Machina, Host, and Unfriended. Some earlier examples of the genre include Scanners, Videodrome, and The Terminator. Y2K is a techno horror comedy from Kyle Mooney that is currently out in theaters and could be just the movie for people wanting an updated (better) version of AfrAId (They Listen).

Related Posts

Wicked’s Impressive VOD Revenue Total Revealed In Rare Studio Move

Wicked’s Impressive VOD Revenue Total Revealed In Rare Studio Move

Wicked ‘s total VOD revenue is revealed at CinemaCon. Directed by Jon M. Chu and based on the Broadway play of the same name, the first of…

Why Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Isn’t In Creed 3

Why Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Isn’t In Creed 3

Creed 3 didn’t feature Rocky Balboa after he appeared in the first two films. The third movie continues the story of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the…

Gazer Review: A Tense, Moody Neo-Noir That Sent Me Spinning With Its Gore & Surrealism

Gazer Review: A Tense, Moody Neo-Noir That Sent Me Spinning With Its Gore & Surrealism

Everything about Gazer recalls the rich history of the neo-noir genre, from its violent femme fatale to its jazzy and atmospheric soundtrack. Ariella Mastroianni leads the cast…

10 Peaceful Movies For When You Need To Decompress

10 Peaceful Movies For When You Need To Decompress

Movies can offer a refreshing escape from reality when life gets rough, although some movies are naturally better suited to this than others. Movies with low-stakes conflicts…

Primitive War Trailer Reveals Jurᴀssic Park Twist On The Vietnam War Genre With Dinosaurs Hunting Soldiers

Primitive War Trailer Reveals Jurᴀssic Park Twist On The Vietnam War Genre With Dinosaurs Hunting Soldiers

Primitive War gets a new trailer, unveiling a Vietnam War movie with a surprising Jurᴀssic Park twist. Directed, produced, co-written, and edited by Luke Sparke, the upcoming…

Primitive War Trailer

Primitive War Trailer

Sparke Films shares the first trailer for Primitive War.