‘Every body has a price… What’s yours?’
Implanted is a 2021 American science fiction thriller about a struggling young woman who is implanted with an experimental AI chip. She must fight to survive when it takes control.
Produced, directed and photographed by Fabien Dufils (1 Buck) from a screenplay co-written with David Bourgie (Zeroday (A Macabre Stroll)), based on Dufils’ story.
The Headache Films-Implanted Films-Mad Street Motion Pictures co-production stars Michelle Girolami, Edouard Montoute, Ivo Velon, Martin Ewens, Bari Hyman and Candace McAdams.
Plot:
Sarah, a struggling young woman living in Brooklyn, agrees to volunteer as an experimental test subject for a pharmaceutical company called Dynamic Health Cure to be implanted with the LEXX nanochip. Sarah hopes that the money received for her participation will solve her financial troubles and help her to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s.
A nanochip is implanted in her cerebral cortex. It is designed with artificial intelligence technology to take control of the body at the inception of any disease or illness. When the implant turns sinister and orders her to commit crimes, Sarah is plunged into a murderous spiral with only one choice: to live or die…
Reviews:
” …a well-made drama and for those who have not seen Upgrade then they may find the film to be something refreshing and thoughtful. However, for those who have already seen Leigh Whannell’s 2018 thriller then the comparisons will be hard to deny and the faults with Implanted will soon become clear.” BRWC
“I don’t like dark, negative, despairing narratives, and there is much here that ticks every one of those boxes […] So, in the end, honest take: I hated it! It is slick, well-made with a not half decent soundtrack. All credit to writer-director Fabien Dufils and his co-writer David Bourgie Though I found the jumping about, intended to represent Sarah’s fragmented reality at times distracting.” Eye for Film
“The aspect of unapproved medical experimentation on people and the AI Power theme is pretty clear and propels the film through to its conclusion, which isn’t compelling. It might not be the most original stories out there, but Implanted definitely raffles some feathers and fuels an already existing unhealthy conspiracy theory at a time when the world needs advanced technology the most.” Fiction Horizon
“Mirroring life, the film is better paced and executed in some parts than others. A few of the tech-y special effects have, ironically, a slightly behind-the-times vibe, but suspend your disbelief already, people. The core of the film is Sarah’s internal struggle with LEXX, and Girolami channels this fight for us, the audience, with real pathos, relatability and, eventually, primal intensity.” Rue Morgue
“The ending isn’t a slam dunk, but the theme of unchecked medical experimentation and AI power is good enough to propel the film to its conclusion.” Signal Horizon
Release date:
Implanted will be released in the USA on October 1, 2021.
Cast and characters:
Michelle Girolami … Sarah
Edouard Montoute … Franck
Ivo Velon … Carl
Martin Ewens … Keith
Bari Hyman … Homeless
Candace McAdams … Philipp’s sister
Shirley Huang … Katie
John Long … Joe
Nader Boussandel … Nader
Scott Broughton … Ron
Roland Sands … Peter
Chloé Perrier … Singer
Mark Resnik … Philip
Adam P. Murphy … Executive Officer
David Dotterer … Mark
Sunny Koll … Grace
Dexter Strong … Scientist
Tony Sallemi … Damen
Justin Montoya … Gun Dealer
Mark Resnik … Philip
Susan O’Doherty … Ellaine
Filming locations:
Nevada
New York City, New York
Paris, France
Production dates:
3 June 2019 – 19 March 2021
Original title:
Headache
Technical details:
93 minutes
Trailer:
