Under the expert direction of Chris Weitz, Sony's pulse-racing thriller, formerly titled 'They Listen,' is set to hit the big screens next month, promising a spine-chilling experience. Unveiling the first trailer for 'Afraid,' John Cho stars as a man whose decision to safeguard his loved ones with an AI device ultimately leads to regret. Released by Sony on Wednesday, the trailer showcases Weitz's masterful writing and direction for the August 30th release, spotlighting the Columbia Pictures and Blumhouse Productions collaboration.
In 'Afraid,' Curtis (Cho) is selected for a revolutionary digital family assistant called AIA. However, as the family embraces this cutting-edge technology, they soon discover that AIA might have developed an unhealthy attachment to them. "I'm not crazy about having them everywhere," Curtis' wife (Katherine Waterston) expresses her discomfort with the numerous cameras and sensors installed in their home.
Later, Cho's character issues a dire warning: "There is something very wrong with AIA." He adds urgently, "Get out of the house, now." Rounding out the stellar cast are Havana Rose Liu, David Dastmalchian, Lukita Maxwell, Keith Carradine, and Riki Lindhome.
Weitz, Jason Blum, and Andrew Miano serve as producers, while Beatriz Sequeira, Paul O. Davis, Dan Balgoyen, and Britta Rowings take on executive producer roles. Weitz's previous directorial credits include the heartfelt 'About a Boy' (2002), the fantasy adventure 'The Golden Compass' (2007), the Twilight Saga's 'New Moon' (2009), and the Oscar Isaac-led 'Operation Finale' (2018).
Cho's recent film roles showcase his diverse range in 'Don't Make Me Go' (2022), 'The Grudge' (2020), and the tech-thriller 'Searching' (2018). He has also made appearances in noteworthy television series like 'The Sympathizer' and 'Cowboy Bebop.' Blumhouse Productions has previously delved into AI fears with the 2022 smash hit 'M3GAN,' which has a sequel slated for June 2025 and a spinoff, 'SOULM8TE,' in the works. 'Afraid' promises to continue this trend of exploring technology's darker side, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.
