The biographical film "Artificial," directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Andrew Garfield as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has premiered at the New York Film Festival to high critical acclaim. Garnering a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is praised for its compelling portrayal of AI's origin and Altman’s journey, blending a docudrama style with dark comedic elements. The theatrical release is set for December 25, 2026, following a notable production shift when Amazon MGM Studios dropped the film in June, which was soon after picked up for distribution by the independent studio Neon.

"Artificial" traces artificial intelligence’s development from its early days in 2003, highlighting key figures in the field, such as OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever (played by Yuri Borisov), AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton (Mark Rylance), tech entrepreneur Elon Musk (Ike Barinholtz), and AI engineer Mira Murati (Monica Barbaro). The screenplay, penned by Simon Rich, uses AI’s rise as a backdrop to explore broader themes about humanity, technology, and the ethical dilemmas posed by this revolutionary technology. Critics have noted the film's ability to humanize the AI story, making the technology and its implications tangible and thought-provoking.

Critics’ reviews emphasize the film’s stimulating and multifaceted tone. Owen Gleiberman of Variety calls it a “brilliant but playful docudrama” that brings AI to life and challenges viewers' understanding of its stakes. Other reviewers highlight the film’s unique mix of dark humor and chilling insight, with Deadline’s Pete Hammond describing it as a movie hard to laugh at despite its comedic elements. However, some criticism comes from Screen International, which argues the screenplay doesn’t fully delve into the flawed personalities behind AI’s wealth and power, suggesting the film could have offered deeper insights into these figures.

Despite some mixed opinions, "Artificial" is broadly seen as a significant cinematic event reflecting high interest in AI’s cultural impact and its leading personalities. Its release during the holiday season could position it for strong box office attention and discussions about the technology shaping our future. The film's success also reinforces Luca Guadagnino’s reputation and highlights the changing landscape of film distribution, especially for projects intersecting with cutting-edge tech narratives.