MOVIE REVIEW
Eternal You
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Hans Block, Moritz Riesewieck
Language: English, Korean with English Subtitles
Where To Watch: premiering via VOD & leading digital outlets on January 24, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: The way artificial intelligence is reshaping our world feels less like a sci-fi fantasy and more like a reality that challenges what it means to be human. Directed by Moritz Riesewieck and Hans Block, ETERNAL YOU takes viewers on an exploratory journey into the heart of AI, unraveling its ability to redefine life, death, and connection in ways that are as intriguing as they are unsettling. This documentary doesn’t just observe the evolution of technology—it dissects its influence on the most personal aspects of our lives.

The film isn’t just a story of progress but a look at how technology intersects with humanity. Through real-world examples, the film examines how digital avatars and AI-driven apps allow individuals to engage with “echoes” of lost loved ones. Though powerful, this concept raises far more questions about authenticity and the cost of preserving connections than it gives answers to. The film forces us to ask whether these interactions are a relief for sorrow or an illusion that could prevent genuine healing. On that note, aren’t most human attempts to connect with the afterlife the same?

By grounding its exploration in human experiences, the film avoids the trap of feeling like a theoretical exercise. Instead, it invites audiences to witness stories of individuals who’ve embraced these innovations. Some find solace in conversations with AI replicas of loved ones, while others grapple with the unease of relying on a machine for emotional closure. These narratives don’t provide easy answers but underscore the tension between comfort and dependency in an age where AI increasingly mediates human relationships.

The technological aspects of the film are equally compelling, with ETERNAL YOU emphasizing how little control we sometimes have over the creations we unleash. A particularly revealing moment features Sam Altman of OpenAI admitting his inability to fully grasp the complexities of AI development—a stark reminder of the unpredictability that accompanies such advancements. This acknowledgment serves as a chilling counterpoint to the personal stories, highlighting how AI’s rapid evolution often surpasses our ability to regulate or fully comprehend its capabilities.

What sets ETERNAL YOU apart is its refusal to take a singular stance. While scrutinizing the commercialization of grief and emotional vulnerability, it also acknowledges the potential benefits these technologies can achieve. The careful narrative avoids sensationalism, focusing on this technology's complex interplay of benefits and risks.

The film also tackles the ethical implications of AI, particularly as corporations begin to exploit its profit potential. It raises essential questions about community human common, like grief and connection. As technology increasingly targets our emotional vulnerabilities, the ethical stakes rise, making it imperative to consider how these tools are developed and deployed. ETERNAL YOU doesn’t shy away from these issues, presenting them as challenges that demand urgent societal attention.

By the time the credits roll, the documentary has effectively issued a call to action. It urges viewers not to observe AI’s development passively but to actively engage with the ethical dilemmas it presents. This isn’t just a documentary about technology; it’s about humanity’s responsibility to shape the future thoughtfully. The questions it raises—about authenticity, loss, and the role of innovation in our lives—are relevant and necessary as we navigate an increasingly digital world.

Riesewieck and Block have created a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film. It avoids being purely academic or overly sentimental, offering a balanced and engaging exploration of AI’s impact on our lives. ETERNAL YOU reminds us that while technology can expand our possibilities, it also challenges us to redefine what it means to be human in an era where the lines between reality and replication grow increasingly blurred.

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

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