A Simplistic (Fantasia Fest) Review: Black Eyed Susan

If there’s any one movie that gave me pause during the 2024 Fantasia Film Festival, ‘Black Eyed Susan’ would be it.

Taking a very grounded approach to how AI can be used in a tangible, and morbid, sense, we follow Derek, a down on his luck ‘gig worker’ who re-connects with Gilbert, an old friend who is working on a state-of-the-art sex doll, and wants Derek to help with some ‘product testing.’

The future and sex always co-mingle, but in this not too distant future hellscape we catch a glimpse of what might already be walking, or sitting, amongst us, or even what evil has yet to be unleashed upon us in the guise of being ‘for the better good.’

Director Scooter McCrae is stranger to transgressive films, with ‘Susan’ being his first feature in over 20 years, it’s also one of his most mainstream and easily accessible, even with the lurid narrative. You have to TRUST where this film is going to take you, and be ready when the carpet gets pulled out from under you in the last 20 minutes. I get vibes of early Steven Soderbergh with the feel of David Lynch and the sleazy appeal of 1970s grindhouse films.

Special mention to Yvonne Emilie Thälker in their film debut. It’s a tough role to take by Yvonne is up to the task and give a breakthrough performance.

‘Black Eyed Susan’ was World Premiered at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival.