Simulant is a good recommendation for those looking for a solid sci-fi action/thriller and in-the-moment entertainment.  The film doesn’t have much resonance after the credits roll, but I thoroughly enjoyed being in this futuristic story that’s executed well enough by director April Mullen (88, Farhope Tower, Badsville) and adequately written by screenwriter Ryan Christopher Churchill.

Churchill’s work receives a more lukewarm response because Simulant has a hard time deciding if it wants to fully invest in social commentary (humans and humanoids coexisting) or go “all in” on action set pieces.  It’s possible for the film to ride the middle (ala Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 and Elysium) but, because of Simulant’s flat characterizations and simple story arc, both angles feel underdeveloped and are not cohesive when working together. 

So, as the viewer, we’re placed in a position to choose for ourselves – are we moved by the movie’s substance or style?  Personally, the latter won.  Using cool special effects and exciting chase sequences, Mullen keeps the audience energized and interested.  Her vision efficiently blends the present with futuristic ideas to where moviegoers can buy the worries experienced by robotic creations, believe in the concern the androids have when their wellbeing is in danger, and understand both sides of the argument when humans rely and exploit artificial intelligence.

While the characters may be underwhelming, the committed performances (from Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster, Sam Worthington, and Simu Liu) elevate the material.  The most interesting turn comes from Worthington though.  The Avatar star is well disguised as a menace, with an unhinged vendetta towards humanoids.  His performance borrows from Hollywood headlines about angry celebrities.  I was reminded of Liam Neeson’s comments in 2019 about wanting to take out heartbreak and frustration on an innocent bystander of a specific race but, more notably, I was also reminded of Mark Wahlberg’s unfathomable standpoint about how he could’ve fought back against 9/11 terrorists had he been on a hijacked airplane. I don’t think I was losing my mind but, if you listen closely, you can hear notes of Wahlberg’s Boston accent in Worthington’s dialect.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie