The Artifice Girl is a science-fiction movie filled with emotional peaks and valleys. It tackles a long standing fear of technology and examines human nature. A team of special agents uses a revolutionary new computer program to capture online predators. They find that the original programming is advancing well beyond expectations.
Split into three chapters, the film follows the program as it evolves. Things start with a tense scene in an interrogation room. It is a great opening that will draw audiences in. The writing brings audiences along leading to a revelation that sets up the rest of The Artifice Girl. It can be a very heady watch, if not exactly in the way expected. The backdrop of children’s safety is a constant throughout The Artifice Girl, but it is the intersection between humanity and technology that propels the story. Though each segment is distinct, questions of morality and consent tie them together.
The Artifice Girl has a three way dynamic similar to the Spock-Kirk-McCoy relationship in Star Trek. Amos (David Girard) seems to be running purely on emotion, while Gareth (writer-director Frank Ritch) seems to be devoid of any. Meanwhile, Deena (Sinda Nichols) is the passionate and frank voice of reason. The majority of the time is spent listening to the trio debate the implications of their jobs. Since there is so little dialogue, the film runs the risk of becoming dry.
The fantastic performances from the three leads prevent this from ever happening. Each character has just enough depth to them. Up until the third act, there is a little in the way of backstories, but what is provided gives an understanding to each person’s motivations. Everyone in the film will leave an impression.
Tatum Matthews stands out in a role that escalates as The Artifice Girl progresses. She starts off making matter of fact statements with little emotion. In the final segment she has a passionate monologue that is a highlight of the entire film. The exposition heavy plot may alienate some, but Matthews makes will keep most audiences invested.
Stories about how humanity handles advancing technology have long been a common part of science-fiction. The Artifice Girl is a great addition that is one of the best movies of the first part of 2023. Its tale about advancements in computers and AI has a very human touch that puts it over the top.
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