14 December 2024
Demon Seed (1977)
93 min.
Directed by Donald Cammell.
With Julie Christie, Robert Vaughn, Fritz Weaver, Gerrit Graham, Berry Kroeger, Lisa Lu, Larry Blake, John O'Leary, Alfred Dennis.
Unnerving, effective sci-fi/horror mix with the lovely Julie Christie...and a monster named Proteus IV.

Scientist Harris (Weaver) works in articial intelligence systems and has developed the 'Proteus IV' computer, capable of curing leukemia, thinking for itself...and wanting a whole lot more from its job.

When Proteus decides its time to mate with a human and create a baby born out of biotechnology, its first choice is Weaver's lovely wife Susan (Christie, in a showcase performance).

Now, how will it do this exactly? First, Proteus takes over the Harris' already techno-friendly home. Then it creates a prison for just his circuits and Susan...and begins 'testing' the poor woman for her role...as the mother of his baby.

Tense and atmospheric, this one's a wholly weird 'product' pure from the 1970s...with lovely performances by both Christie and Proteus-voiced Vaughn in a chilling turn. (Indeed, kudos to Vaughn for his voiceover work here; he truly lends Proteus a distinctive personality and life all its own.)

Also known as Proteus Generation.

File this one under "really weird."

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