Take 5 – Watch Along With Us To See These Wild AI Horror Short Films

By Elise Hernke with input from Niren Hiro

This week, we have compiled some AI-generated dystopian horrors to ring in the Spooky Season – many of them aimed at our fears about the technology itself. This is MODERN TIMES, a digest where we learn about how this tech will impact entertainment, so you don’t have to.?

OK, let’s dive in.?

AI Lip Synching Has Reached New Heights Thanks to Kling

Lip synching has been one of the biggest challenges for AI creators and Kling AI just revealed an upgrade that shows impressive results. It’s a game changer for storytellers because now they can confidently incorporate much more dialogue into their scripts. If you are interested in learning how this works, check out Tom’s Guide on making AI speak (article).?

A New Era For Fan Fiction?

One “Princess Mononoke” (trailer) fan decided to use AI to imagine a live-action version of the beloved film. Though in this instance there was plenty of backlash because of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s feelings about AI (video), the impressive example shows us that fan art is about to get much more complex. It would also be a helpful tool for studios to pre-visualize when deciding what projects would make for compelling live-action films.?

Set Designers Can Level Up with Digital Twins

3D object models are going to revolutionize the online shopping experience (3D Printing Industry article), but it is going to have a significant impact on the miniaturists and model makers who already have been assisted by 3D printing in their line of work. Rather than spending time sanding and constructing the models, they can spend their time piecing them together to create more elaborate sets and props, saving time and money.?

Modern Times Reviews AI Short Films?

As mentioned, this week we are excited to present and review a collection of horror films created using AI. Category is: Future Dystopia.

“Robort” Uses Faulty AI to Its Advantage?

“Robort” has a unique comedic sensibility that matches the story it is telling. The creator, Nobody & The Computer, completely understood the limitations of working with this tech and scripted the humor and aesthetic to work well within those limitations.?

In “Robort,” robots become increasingly integrated into humans daily life, so much so that one day, a human man named Robert finds himself replaced by a robot by his employer, his girlfriend, and his band. He decides to mask himself as a robot and become a professional singer under a new identity. The film brilliantly challenges our fears of AI and provides incisive humor, intentionally janky visuals, and a fully fleshed out narrative. ??

“How to Stay Healthy” is the Creepiest Commercial You’ve Ever Seen

Aze Alter is no doubt one of the most prescient filmmakers that we have seen so far in this space. His commercial-style short cleverly serves as cultural commentary while showcasing incredible 80’s grunge-horror imagery. Think: the “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (trailer) are trying to sell you Ozempic.?

“How To Stay Healthy” reflects on the themes of immediate gratification and how diet culture fits within that, smartly using these tools to develop a unique and fresh style while telling a nightmarish story. ??

“Soulless Horizon” Says That A World Without Humans Is A World Without Soul

“Soulless Horizon,” a dramatic short film by Rolando Cede?o de la Cruz (Rolo AI), feels like the beginning of a longer film. It outlines the current state of the world: the year is 2074 and humanity has “fallen into a global totalitarian system based on AI implants and robotics.” Humans aren’t extinct, but they might as well be; transhumanism is the new norm.?

Rolo’s bleak world is stunning, though the visuals work best when moving very little, almost like one is zooming in and out of still images. Its whispering narration starts to drag in the latter half, but the hyperrealistic quality of the piece is striking to watch. ??

“The Frost” Leaves You Desperate to De-thaw?

As evocative as “The Frost” might be, it was trying to do way too much, cheapening the emotional narrative it was trying to tell. Like Rolo, creator Nathan Sebhastian focuses on hyperrealism, but unlike the previous films, his horror has nothing to do with the technology itself, at least at first. “The Frost” follows a group of survivors, traveling through a frozen tundra. A man rocks back and forth muttering “so f*cking cold, so f*cking cold” to himself, his breath? illuminated by the crispy air; a mother desperate to comfort her crying baby cries, “Oh, sweetie…”?

There are some really exceptional visuals, but the overly serious plot and life-like style takes away from the film. It becomes easier to notice flaws which can be distracting. That being said, it’s a fantastic example of in-depth storytelling and it is clear that we are only just scratching the (icy) surface of what is possible with AI. ??

“Come and Take it” Is An Oversaturated Mess

“Come and Take It,” by Taylor Gahm, is an example of what we don’t want AI storytelling to be. It lacks a cohesive story, relies too heavily on reminiscent imagery, and feels shallow. One minute, it feels like we are watching Beyoncé’s highly popular “Formation” video and another it is “Squid Game” (trailer). Each scene uses rousing music to overshadow the plot (or lack thereof) and displays new characters, all with Instagram Face (article by The New Yorker about this phenomenon).?

We are reminded of one very important truth: All of AI is only as good as the story underneath all the effects. ????

Before you go….

Have a cookie?

ManMeetsMachine released a video featuring Vin Diesel that goes completely off the rails in the best way. This video has everything: pizza, aliens, ballet, choreographed dance, space, cars made of meat and… troll dolls? You have to see it to believe it.?