Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial” depicts the five-day period in November 2023 when OpenAI’s board removed CEO Sam Altman from his position, witnessed mass employee threats to resign, and ultimately reinstated him. The film, which premiered at the New York Film Festival to strong reception, examines the moment as a potential turning point for artificial intelligence regulation that ultimately went unrealized due to financial and personal interests among tech industry figures.
Andrew Garfield portrays Altman in a performance that draws structural and thematic parallels to Anthony Perkins’ iconic role as Norman Bates in “Psycho.” Rather than portraying Altman as an obvious villain, Garfield constructs the character to appear sympathetic and attentive on the surface—sitting cross-legged, speaking softly, and maintaining focused eye contact—while subtle moments reveal a more calculating nature beneath. The performance builds audience investment before revealing the character’s true nature by the film’s conclusion.
Yura Borisov leads the ensemble as Ilya Sutskever, the Soviet-born computer scientist who recognized potential dangers ahead. Neon submitted Borisov in the lead actor category and Garfield in supporting actor for awards consideration. Borisov, previously nominated for “Anora,” delivers a stoic, contemplative performance reminiscent of ensemble work in films like “Spotlight.” The supporting cast includes Cooper Hoffman as board chairman Greg Brockman and Monica Barbaro as Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati.
Industry observers note that the supporting actor category has recently favored charismatic antagonists, citing recent winners including Robert Downey Jr. for “Oppenheimer” and Sean Penn’s recent win. Garfield carries the narrative of an overdue recognition, having received two prior best actor nominations without winning, alongside a notable previous snub for “The Social Network.” The film’s timeliness—with Altman remaining a prominent public figure—may enhance its awards campaign prospects.
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