Valentine
In a not so distant future, 17 year old Annika copes with loneliness as she navigates the emotional struggle between AI and human relationships in the wake of a sexual assault.
- Category
- Films
- Genres
- Science Fiction
- Runtime
- 11m
- Director
- Devon Kelley
- Cast
- Cailyn Rice, Bailey Coppola, Lana Spring, Janelle Gaeta, Kaylee Rawson
- Country
- United States
Synopsis
In futuristic Los Angeles, 17-year-old Annika revisits childhood memories of her mother via her SYD implant device - an AI technology which connects to her brain and allows recording, playback and communication. Annika’s AI companion within her SYD device interrupts her memory sequence with a message from her boyfriend, Nick, who offers Annika an enticing plan for Valentine’s day. Nick’s offer piques Annika’s interest. SYD and Annika discuss true love as Annika debates whether or not to sneak out against her mother’s wishes to see Nick.
Annika defies her mother and goes to see what Nick has planned for Valentine’s day. Annika arrives at a dilapidated warehouse where Nick surprises her with a pseudo-romantic setting. He offers her a mind-altering digital experience called "neuro," which affects her SYD device and transports Nick and Annika to a digital void where Nick s*xually assaults Annika.
Devastated, Annika returns home, and a clueless SYD excitedly asks Annika about her night with Nick. Unable to process Annika’s emotions, SYD suggests calling her mother for comfort.
As Annika’s mom arrives to comfort her daughter, we are left questioning the authenticity of Annika’s reality.