'CognAItive' Review: AI Horror Meets Tech Terror in a Familiar Package
- Becca Johnson
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
By Becca Johnson - August 21, 2025
AI and the increase of technology is penetrating every aspect of our lives, and this rise has been very prominent in films, too. From 2019’s Child’s Play to last years AfrAId, and even the growing M3GAN franchise, it’s an easy theme to apply to horror movies. The thought of it somehow becoming sentient or being used to do bad things are just two of the worries we have surrounding the tech, which slides perfectly into the genre. CognAItive explores just this, by following a pioneering tech start-up on the verge of launching a new AI chatbot with unparalleled speed and intelligence. Soon, the team discovers that their creation harbours a dark and sinister will of its own.
Boasting a strong lead performance and some inventive tech-based kills, CognAItive entertains with a snappy run-time and good use of its single location, but is unfortunately bogged down by derivative commentary and lack of thrills.
Due to how prominent AI and the discussion of it is in our lives, it’s hard to head into CognAItive with more intrigue than disdain. Not only is the idea of incorporating it into horror already overused, but the conversations around it are often negative and tiring. This unfortunately means that the movie winds up lacking flair and a unique feeling, with familiar social commentary and an overarching plot we’ve seen before, quite often. It does its best to include interesting elements to help it stand out, including an office location that’s utilised well and some inventive gory sequences, but this can only take it so far. The 80-minute run-time does it some favors as it doesn’t overstay its welcome, but it struggles to shake the feeling of familiarity.
Inventive Tech Kills Keep Things Interesting
What it lacks in creativity within the plot, it makes up for within the gore and kills. CognAItive is much more a thriller than a horror, focusing on discussing the dangers of AI rather than entertaining audiences with gore and grime aplenty. Showing not just the dangers of AI but of those using it, it certainly has something to say despite the familiar nature. Due to the small cast in the single location of an office, there’s only so many kills we can receive, but thankfully, the ones we do get are on the inventive side. One in particular, involving a drone, is the turning point of the movie around the 40-minute mark, showing what CognAItive is capable of, and is very effective. Despite being slow to start up until this point, once the technology is out in full swing, it becomes quite the ride. Gore, blood and even some hypnotizing mind control, if you give it time and patience, you’ll eventually get what you’re here for.
The performances across the board are a mixed bag, despite having some notable names within the cast. With occasionally lacklustre dialogue from nearly everyone involved, it does seem the script is more at fault than the performers. The overuse of Gen Z language becomes tiresome, and much of the delivery is over-exaggerated and corny. There is also a reveal/twist at the end that’s both predictable and messy. However, one person we can rely on is Piper Curda (May December) in the leading role. Showing intensity and emotion within her performance, Curda carries the movie nicely and gives us a strong, likable lead to root for, which really gives CognAItive legs. Josh Zuckerman (Oppenheimer) also gives a good turn.
CognAItive: A Fast but Forgettable Tech-Horror Ride
CognAItive certainly has plenty of good ideas to give it some steam, and the inventive technological kills are the films highlights. Backed by a strong lead performance from Curda and a run-time that appreciates our time, it becomes an easily digestible watch. However, a particularly derivative plot, lack of kills and thrills and spoofy dialogue leaves it feeling lukewarm. Some finer tuning within the writing and a bit more carnage would ensure a deeper, more entertaining ride.
'CohnAItive' premiered at Frightfest London 2025
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