My quick rating - 3.7/10. Ok, this is a daring, if deeply uncomfortable, exploration of morality, desire, and technology that often feels more like a bizarre erotic dream than a cohesive narrative. At its core, the film centers on Derek (Damian Maffei), a man desperate for work, who steps into a morally dubious role at a tech startup, replacing his deceased friend. His job? Testing Susan (Yvonne Emilie Thälker), a bleeding-edge BDSM AI sex doll designed to "receive and appreciate punishment" as a way of evolving her artificial intelligence. The premise itself is divisive, but the film's execution takes it to a level that's almost too dark to engage with meaningfully. Aesthetically, Black Eyed Susan adopts a grainy, 70s-style film look—a creative choice that feels more distracting than immersive. While it aims to evoke a retro, dystopian vibe, it instead makes the production feel cheap and dated, detracting from the intended gravitas of the story.
The movie’s subject matter is disturbing, as it delves into humanity’s capacity for cruelty under the guise of innovation. Watching Derek test Susan by literally punching her in the face is unsettling—even with the constant reminder that "she's just a robot." The line between human and machine blurs, raising moral questions about what constitutes acceptable behavior, but the movie's lack of subtlety and overreliance on shock value undermine its message. Adding to the discomfort is the film’s descent into borderline soft-core porn. While the sexual elements are meant to probe themes of power dynamics and desire, they often feel gratuitous and exploitative rather than thought-provoking. I am just as much a fan of boobs as the next guy but the overindulgence in explicit content detracts from the philosophical exploration the movie is attempting to achieve.
Despite its many flaws, Black Eyed Susan does have a thought-provoking edge. The exploration of a morally ambiguous future and the ethical implications of designing such technology are compelling ideas, but they’re overshadowed by the film’s uneven tone and lack of focus. It feels like two different movies: one a sleazy, dystopian exploitation film, and the other an intelligent meditation on the consequences of human innovation. Unfortunately, the former dominates.
With a higher budget, tighter script, and a more refined approach, this flick could have been a chilling and insightful critique of humanity’s relationship with technology. Instead, it feels like a missed opportunity—a film that shocks and provokes but ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying or cohesive experience. While it’s commendable for making you think, its heavy-handedness and gratuitous elements make it difficult to recommend.
No streamers are popping up for this one as of 03.06.25
https://jackmeat.com/black-eyed-susan-2024/
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