“Simulant,” a science fiction thriller about synthetic humanoids and the looming risk of a robot rebellion, sets itself apart by treating the loss of life—whether organic or artificial—with genuine gravity. Unlike many of its low-budget peers that are mere derivatives of “Blade Runner” or “I, Robot,” “Simulant” urges viewers to feel the weight of mortality whenever a character is in peril or meets their end.
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While commendable, this emotional layer doesn’t elevate the film above its obvious status as a low-grade sci-fi mishmash. However, the film does offer its Simulants. The movie’s version of bioengineered humans to some degree of depth, making this largely uninspiring robo-thriller a tad more interesting.
Opening with an Asimov-inspired set of robotic rules, the film establishes that Simulants are already well into human society. They have a code of conduct that includes familiar laws such as not harming humans. Shortly thereafter, we’re introduced to Agent Kessler played by Sam Worthington. He works for the powerful Artificial Intelligence Compliance Enforcement agency. He’s stunned when a Simulant named Esme, portrayed by Alicia Sanz, not only evades capture but also harms him. What’s going on with these human-like robots?
Another subplot emerges as Evan, a disoriented husband (Robbie Amell), is preoccupied with his busy wife Faye (Jordana Brewster.) Eventually, the film reveals that Evan is a Simulant replica of the real Evan, who died in a car accident. This disclosure helps explain the strained relationship between Evan and Faye. It ultimately leads Evan to Casey Rosen, played by Simu Liu, a Simulant specialist with dubious intentions.
(SPOILER ALERT) Kessler’s pursuit for understanding takes him to Casey as well, but not before witnessing the involuntary reprogramming of Esme. The creators of “Simulant” linger on this scene, driving home the point that if Simulants have feelings, then those emotions extend beyond mere binary code. It’s a pivotal moment, and likely the most impactful in the film.
Unfortunately, the film falters in delivering a deeper exploration of its themes or characters. Neither Evan nor Kessler’s investigations add much dimension to the story or to themselves. They ask interesting questions about freedom and obedience but fail to dig deeper into the implications for sentient beings.
Both plotlines converge on Casey, who speaks ambiguously about the need for Simulants to make independent choices. Yet, Kessler’s role in all this feels underwhelming, serving more as a stepping stone for the next plot event. Evan, too, keeps running into emotional dead ends with his increasingly aloof wife. Despite the film’s emotional peaks, the overall impact is diluted due to its reliance on well-worn genre clichés.
The film concludes ambiguously, but even that feels insufficient. Instead of examining the complexities of a post-human world, the film’s characters grapple with issues that feel more like placeholders for greater existential questions. When Casey tells Evan that breaking free from his fundamental coding would make him “more human,” Evan’s response encapsulates the film’s primary flaw: “I don’t actually know what that means.” The movie, for all its unique sensitivities, ultimately doesn’t venture into uncharted territory, making it difficult to fully appreciate its sporadic moments of depth.
