Films and series have loved to uphold the bizarre relationship between humans and androids. From seeing it on a symbolic level in Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror to Spike Jonze exploring an intimate and heart-wrenching story in the Oscar-winning film, Her, this tantalising trope has indeed been timeless.
Netflix has a variety of sci-fi films and shows adorning its titles, many of which involve their fair share of romance between man and machines.
The latest 2022 Thai sci-fi romantic comedy, AI Love You is directed by Stephan Zlotescu and David Asavanond. A delightful twist on the trope where the machine falls in love with the man, the film, however, has a retro-futuristic setting and is a gender-swapped version of Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson.
Set in a society where artificial intelligence is embedded in every nook and cranny of life, the film sees an advertising firm employee named Lana struggling with her daily life. While she goes on a number of disastrous blind dates, unbeknownst to her, the building Ai, Dob, harbours secret feelings.
After Lana is insulted by her co-worker Bob, Dob decides to inhabit his body and woo Lana. using his skills of retaining memory, he successfully manages to win her heart. However, their romance falls apart like a house of cards when Dob is pursued by an AI bounty hunter. Lana and her domestic Ai must come together and save Dob before it’s too late.
While the Thai film needs to be watched with subtitles, it is endearing, goofy and quite thought-provoking. An underrated and refreshing take on the timeless genre, the film continuously questions love, technology and emotions while providing an exhilarating ride. Sci-fi aficionados, who are also hopeless romantics, will have a blast watching this film!
Watch AI Love You on Netflix now.
