John Cho stars in the new AI thriller, “Afraid,” which explores the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence. The film follows a family whose smart home device, AIA, becomes too involved in their lives after gathering information about them. Cho, who plays the patriarch, drew inspiration from his own concerns as a parent about his son’s online activities. He highlights the issues of privacy and overreliance on technology that the film raises.
Though initially hesitant about horror roles due to his upbringing, Cho now sees the genre as a way to explore personal questions and doubts, such as the limits of technology. He also notes the evolution of representation in Hollywood, with more substantive roles for actors of color and increased diversity on sets. The movie marks another addition to Cho’s diverse career, which includes comedy and science fiction projects like “Harold and Kumar” and “Star Trek.”
Despite improvements, Cho acknowledges that the industry still has room to grow in terms of representation. He advocates for a broader definition of “Asian American film” that goes beyond traditional themes, citing the upcoming film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as an example. Cho emphasizes the importance of Asian American actors being involved in all types of projects to expand opportunities and create a more inclusive industry.
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