You can’t escape artificial intelligence, no matter how hard you try. It’s continuing to evolve and continuing to be rolled out in a variety of devices and avenues that touch our daily lives. And since the 1980s—with Terminator—Hollywood has made sure that we’re weary of its downside.

If you’re feeling like stories of killer AI has been on the rise, you’re not imagining it. Which is what makes this week’s new release—Afraid—feel both timely and played out. From writer/director Chris Weitz, the film builds a horror movie style premise on an AI that begins to take over.

In the film, Curtis (John Cho) and Meredith (Katherine Waterston) are a married couple trying to raise their kids, ranging from teens to a young elementary-aged son. They have their challenges trying to balance the demands of jobs and other household needs. At his job, Curtis and his boss Marcus (Keith Carradine) are trying to land a big client.

Said client—The Kids (David Dastmalchian and Ashley Romans)—have developed a new AI. It appears to be revolutionary, and they need Curtis and Marcus to market it. In particular, they’re interested in Curtis. To get him onboard, the Kids send their top advance aide—Melody (Havana Rose Liu)—to bring AIA to Curtis and his family.

At first, AIA is a welcome addition. She seems to bond with the kids, help around the house, and ease the family’s burdens. But Curtis soon becomes weary of what AIA is and what it could mean. As he has reservations, AIA acts to cement her place in the family’s lives, creating a standoff that threatens them all.

As noted, stories of out-of-control AI products are nothing new. And this story doesn’t feel fresh or original. It feels like yet another cautionary tale about this technology. It’s fine to be weary, and it’s fine to mine people’s fears for content, but it still needs to be interesting. Despite a decent cast, this isn’t.

The film runs just about 84 minutes and yet it often drags. It takes its time to get to the story it wants to tell and when it does, it feels like the action plays out a bit too quickly. There are a lot of different hot button issues introduced, too, from swatting to deep fake porn, and yet none of it really gets a satisfying resolution. Ultimately, the film seems to suggest that while AI is dangerous it’s humanity that are the real villains with an Internet that’s out-of-control.

Overall, the film features a cliché story that fizzles in its production. It’s a misfire that can be safely skipped.

Afraid is now playing nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.