The Creator {Film Review}

Editor’s Note: This review of “The Creator” was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Real Mom of SFV would like to acknowledge that without the labor of the writers and actors who are currently on strike, films such as this would not be possible.

It’s really rare to see a sci-fi movie that has a wholly original storyline. It seems as of late, the movies that are coming out are sequels, prequels, adapted from a novel or spin-offs about characters from a multiverse far far away. That’s not the case of “The Creator.” This visually stunning sci-fi action thriller is directed by Gareth Edwards, with a screenplay by Gareth Edwards and Chris Weitz.

The film opens and I’m instantly blown away by the cinematography. I’m so glad that I got to watch it on a big screen so that I could really take in the special effects and the sweeping landscape of “New Asia.”

The film stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles and Allison Janney.

“The Creator” is set amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence. Joshua (Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war…and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives’ journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory, only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child (Voyles).

Gemma Chan (Eternals, Crazy Rich Asians) and John David Washington (Tenet, Ballers) have great chemistry. Allison Janney (Mom and I, Tonya) plays a military officer and is very believable in that role. However, the one who blows me away is Madeleine Yuna Voyles! I was very impressed by her acting (she plays Alphie, the all-powerful AI child). Her eyes are so expressive and she communicates so much pain and sorrow without saying a word.

“The Creator” is a bold movie with a fresh take on artificial intelligence. I was thoroughly entertained and I can honestly say it is one of the best sci-fi films that I have seen in a long time.

“The Creator” opens in theaters September 29th!
“The Creator” is rated PG-13.
Visit the official movie website here for more information.

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I attended an advanced screening of the movie which helped facilitate this review. Images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.