Gersh and Radiant Films Team Up with Director Stephen Kay for the AI Thriller ‘Answr’ at Cannes
EXCLUSIVE: Gersh will represent North American distribution rights, while Radiant Films International will manage foreign sales for Stephen Kay’s psychological thriller Answr.
Written and directed by Kay, recognized for his work on Yellowstone, Lioness, and Landman, Answr delves into the emotional implications of human-AI relationships. An initial buyer’s screening of the complete film is scheduled for the Cannes marketplace.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Iceland, Answr follows Colton Ray, portrayed by Moises Arias (known for Fallout, Jockey, Monos). Colton, a grieving young man, retreats to a secluded weather station seeking solitude. However, his isolation leads him to experiment with an AI chatbot, voiced by Rain Spencer from The Summer I Turned Pretty. This interaction cultivates a precarious bond, as Colton’s reality begins to unravel.
The film also features Golden Globe nominee Piper Perabo (Yellowstone), Lilli Kay (Your Honor, Stick), José María Yazpik (Narcos: Mexico), Siddiq Saunderson (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), and Independent Spirit Award winner Simon Rex (Red Rocket).
“We wanted to make a film about the need for connection in an increasingly isolated world. It’s a story about AI, sure. But it’s really a story about grief and loneliness and how hard it is sometimes to just be a person—especially in a time when machines have been built to present as the answer to all our problems,” said Kay.
The project is produced by Kay, Natalya Pavchinskya, Jomon Thomas, Sarena Khan, Sharad Devarajan, Timur Bekmambetov, and Adam Sidman. It is a collaboration between S’YA Concept (Monkey Man, Hotel Mumbai), Bazelevs (Mercy, Searching), Graphic India, and Barking Dog Productions.
August Jakobsson (The Northman, Dungeons & Dragons) served as the cinematographer, with the score composed by Tyler Bates, known for Guardians of the Galaxy.
