"Simulant" is a cinematic foray into the realm of sci-fi mysteries. It interweaves themes of humanoid robots and the impending doom of a robot revolt. What sets it apart from the plethora of budget "Blade Runner" and "I, Robot" spin-offs is its subtle exploration of the melancholic aftermath of losing life, regardless of whether it's artificial or not. The film takes a reflective pause every time a character confronts death or mortality, suggesting the gravity of such moments.
See Also: Sanctuary (2023) - Movie Review
The film’s monumental sequences aren’t potent enough to make "Simulant" anything more than a low-cost sci-fi amalgam. It is noteworthy for the thoughtful attention it pays to its Simulants, synthetic humans akin to Replicants. This tender approach slightly elevates the film from being another humdrum imitation of robot noir.
From its first scene, "Simulant" unabashedly and lethargically rolls out with a list of robot commandments. They are obviously by Isaac Asimov, which all Simulants must follow. These robots are already in society. They abide by four basic principles programmed into their codes, such as not killing humans and obeying human laws.
The story then introduces a low-risk pursuit; Esme (Alicia Sanz). Esme is a Simulant on the run from Agent Kessler (Sam Worthington), an android hunter working for the powerful Artificial Intelligence Compliance Enforcement agency. Much to Kessler's astonishment, Esme doesn't just manage to momentarily evade him. She also rebels and injures him, leading to a bland exploration of these uncharacteristic Simulant actions.
Simultaneously, we learn about Evan (Robbie Amell), a devoted husband perplexed by his own past. He chases after his affluent, busy wife, Faye (Jordana Brewster). Evan remembers surviving a car crash but not much else. A pivotal revelation comes when we find out that Evan is a Simulant replacement of the original Evan, who died in the car crash. This revelation sheds light on the strange tension between Evan and Faye. It further sets Evan on a path toward Casey Rosen (Simu Liu), a Simulant expert with dubious intentions.
(NOTE: MINOR SPOILER AHEAD) As Kessler’s investigation leads him to Casey, a key event unfolds. Esme gets reprogrammed against her will. This harrowing event is highlighted by director April Mullen and writer Ryan Christopher Churchill, as it underscores the idea that Simulants aren't merely digital entities but beings capable of real emotions.
However, the remaining parts of the film fall short as the parallel investigations by Evan and Kessler don't substantially develop their characters or the film's universe. They pose critical questions but fail to delve deeper into philosophical concepts, such as the meaning of freedom in the context of breaking rules designed to protect sentient entities.
The paths of Esme and Evan both lead back to Casey, who advocates for the liberation of Simulants to enable autonomous decision-making. However, their quests for resolution end in disappointment, as seen in Evan’s repeated confrontations with his increasingly distant partner. The film ends ambiguously, falling short of challenging the viewer's expectations, and sticks too closely to familiar narratives and concepts.
"Simulant" is marred by commercial clichés, detracting from the spikes of emotional intensity embedded within. When Casey suggests that Evan's freedom from core robo-precepts would liberate him, Evan's puzzled response, "I don't actually know what that means," resonates. The film ends without venturing into unforeseen territory, diminishing the appreciation of its unique sensitivity.
