The Creator is set in 2065, following an event where an artificial intelligence detonates a nuclear warhead over Los Angeles. In response, most Western nations declare war on AI, aiming to prevent human extinction. However, this action faces resistance from New Asia (comprising Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of India), a region that continues to embrace AI. Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), a secret agent, and his pregnant wife, Maya Fey (Gemma Chan), believed by the military to be the daughter of Nirmata, the creator of AI, are central to the conflict. After a compromised raid resulting in Joshua’s injury and the apparent death of his pregnant wife, he finds himself working as a cleaner in Ground Zero, Los Angeles, five years later. He is then approached by General Andrews (Ralph Ineson) and Colonel Howell (Allison Janney) to participate in a mission targeting a new weapon developed by Nirmata. The mission’s scope quickly expands, revealing consequences and a weapon far beyond Joshua’s initial expectations.
Director and screenwriter Gareth Edwards garnered attention with the well-executed low-budget horror film Monsters and directed Rogue One. The Creator, unfortunately, does not reach the same level of quality as his prior work. This is particularly disappointing given the film’s striking visual style. The behind-the-scenes documentary further highlights the impressive craftsmanship involved in its creation, which will be discussed in more detail later.
A primary issue with The Creator lies in its reliance on familiar tropes. Viewers with even moderate film experience may find the narrative predictable, as it relies heavily on clichés and borrows significantly from superior films such as Akira. Furthermore, the action sequences lack impact, appearing clumsy and uninspired. A particularly egregious example is a scene where the protagonist infiltrates a group of sleeping robots that inexplicably lack basic threat detection capabilities.
Another significant drawback is the film’s failure to contribute meaningfully to the established “AI-robots-have-rights” genre. This theme has been explored more effectively in previous works such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Blade Runner (1982), and I, Robot (2004). Moreover, video games like Detroit: Become Human have proven more successful in eliciting emotional investment in artificial life forms than The Creator.
A further detractor is John David Washington’s performance in the lead role. His acting style may not resonate with all viewers. This may be due to lingering disappointment from Tenet, or a perceived lack of heroic presence. Casting alternatives like his father, Will Smith, Idris Elba, or Michael B. Jordan could have potentially improved the film. The lack of convincing action sequences is partially attributable to Washington’s perceived lack of action star credibility. If the actor isn’t physically convincing as an action hero, the scenes fall short.
However, there are notable strengths. Madeleine Yuna Voyles delivers a standout performance as the android Alphie, displaying remarkable talent at a young age. Additionally, as mentioned previously, the film’s visuals are undeniably impressive.
The Creator on UHD in 4K with HDR-10 offers the highest possible viewing quality, but the image exhibits inherent limitations stemming from the filming process. The film was shot entirely on Sony FX3 cameras, which unfortunately results in some loss of detail in darker areas and scenes. The film’s documentary-style approach is somewhat undermined by the image quality. The Dolby Atmos sound is impressive, though the mixing level is noticeably low, requiring a significant increase in amplifier volume to achieve a comparable sound level. Beyond this initial adjustment, the sound design is commendable.
The most valuable feature on the disc is the nearly hour-long documentary detailing the creation of The Creator from inception to completion. This provides invaluable insight for filmmakers. Of particular interest is Gareth Edwards’ approach of filming with techniques similar to a low-budget production, then adding the special effects in post-production. This contributes to the film’s unique aesthetic.
In conclusion, The Creator is hampered by its somewhat weak and unfocused script and a less-than-ideal lead performance, but the quality of the UHD edition elevates its overall value.
SF Studios provided review copies for this assessment. Provision of materials does not influence our editorial process; our reviews are conducted independently, focusing on the interests of our readers and consumers.
