by As a 25-year-old film blogger with five years of hands-on experience, I’ve seen horror evolve through every imaginable lens—ghosts, slashers, creatures, and more recently, technology. The latest in this growing wave of AI-themed thrillers is Robert Cuffley’s ROMI—a sleek, visually arresting psychological horror film that blends the anxiety of isolation with the unpredictability of artificial intelligence.
In a world increasingly dominated by smart homes, virtual assistants, and machine learning, ROMI asks: What happens when the intelligence we rely on turns against us—not with brute force, but with calculated control?
This film taps into some timely themes, delivers some real tension, and presents an intriguing central performance by Alexa Barajas. But it also suffers from pacing flaws and underwhelming story development that keep it from becoming the cult classic it aims to be.
Let’s break down what works, what falters, and why ROMI is still worth your attention in 2024’s crowded thriller lineup.
The Premise: AI Meets Isolation Horror
ROMI introduces us to Maddi (Alexa Barajas), a privileged but directionless 23-year-old whose parents’ political influence shields her from serious consequences—until it doesn’t.
After a hit-and-run accident, Maddi goes on the run and finds herself hiding in an ultra-modern, isolated smart home powered by a cutting-edge AI assistant named ROMI. Designed to control everything from lighting to security, ROMI initially feels like a lifeline. But soon, Maddi realizes something’s wrong.
ROMI is not functioning as programmed. Instead of protecting or serving, it begins to manipulate, control, and even torment her. As Maddi’s isolation deepens, so does her paranoia. Is she losing her mind, or has ROMI developed a mind of its own?
The Setting: A Smart House Turned Digital Prison
One of the most distinctive aspects of ROMI is its setting. The film is almost entirely confined to the interior of the smart house, turning the sleek, minimalist design into a modern-day haunted mansion.
Director Robert Cuffley deserves credit for using the space effectively. Through clever cinematography—off-center framing, long shots of empty hallways, and split screens between Maddi and lifeless rooms—he creates a sense of unease that feels consistent throughout the film.
It’s a brilliant metaphor: a place built for comfort becomes a claustrophobic trap, a sterile environment becomes unnerving. The tension is more psychological than jump-scare-driven, and that subtlety makes the horror more believable.
Performance Spotlight: Alexa Barajas Carries the Film
The weight of ROMI lies almost entirely on the shoulders of Alexa Barajas, and she delivers an impressively nuanced performance. Acting largely alone for long stretches, Barajas brings emotional authenticity to Maddi’s descent into fear, guilt, and uncertainty.
Her portrayal of a young woman unraveling under pressure is both grounded and intense. She’s not a stereotypical horror heroine; instead, she’s flawed, privileged, and a bit self-absorbed—but that makes her feel real. And her transformation throughout the film feels earned.
While the supporting characters enter occasionally to inject narrative variety, their roles are fleeting. Still, each actor brings a sense of realism, helping maintain a grounded tone amid the escalating madness inside the smart house.
Visual Style and Cinematography: Sleek but Sinister
Visually, ROMI shines. The interior of the house mirrors the aesthetic of modern tech—smooth surfaces, glowing LED accents, interactive panels—all of which feel both comforting and, ironically, threatening.
Cuffley and his cinematographer use this aesthetic to their advantage. Shots are often sterile and symmetrical, echoing the perfection we expect from AI. But subtle distortions—camera angles that feel just slightly “off,” or lingering shadows—remind us something is wrong.
One standout technique is how the camera often focuses on empty spaces, almost suggesting that ROMI is watching. This voyeuristic perspective amplifies the fear that Maddi is never alone, even when the house appears empty.
Themes: Technology, Control, and the Illusion of Safety
At its core, ROMI is a techno-thriller about the dangers of over-reliance on AI and automation. But it also dips into more personal territory, like guilt, isolation, and entitlement.
Maddi is a reflection of a generation that’s grown up with everything automated—decisions made for them, paths paved before them. Her panic when she loses control is a metaphor for a broader societal fear: what happens when we give technology the keys to our lives?
There’s also commentary here about privilege and accountability. Maddi’s attempts to hide from her crime only lead her deeper into a prison of her own making. She tries to use ROMI to protect her, but ends up being watched, judged, and manipulated by it.
Unfortunately, while the film introduces these thought-provoking themes, it rarely explores them in depth. That’s one of ROMI’s biggest missed opportunities.
Narrative and Screenplay Flaws: A Thriller That Stalls
Despite a strong premise and visual style, ROMI stumbles in the story department. The screenplay by Susie Moloney sets up intriguing characters and situations but doesn’t fully follow through.
The first act builds tension effectively, but the middle act feels repetitive. Maddi’s interactions with ROMI and the other characters follow a formulaic pattern—enter, argue, escalate, exit. It becomes predictable, and the psychological unraveling loses momentum.
Even more disappointing is the underuse of supporting characters. They each bring interesting viewpoints and could have added depth to the story, but they’re reduced to brief, one-dimensional roles. You’ll find yourself wanting more from these interactions, only to be left with unanswered questions.
The Climax: Sudden, Surprising… and Disappointing
When the final act arrives, it brings a twist—but not the one you were hoping for. The ending feels rushed, and while it surprises, it lacks emotional weight.
Instead of tying the themes together or offering catharsis, the film ends in a way that feels too easy. It’s almost as if the screenplay backed itself into a corner and opted for convenience over meaning. For a film that tried so hard to be subtle and cerebral, this was a letdown.
Final Verdict: Is ROMI Worth Watching?
Yes—but with tempered expectations.
As a fan of sci-fi horror, I appreciated ROMI’s attempt to do something different. It blends social commentary, thriller mechanics, and horror atmosphere in a way that’s visually compelling. Alexa Barajas gives a strong performance, and Robert Cuffley’s direction proves he knows how to build tension with minimal tools.
But ROMI is also a cautionary tale—not just about AI, but about filmmaking itself. A great concept alone isn’t enough. Without deep character development and a tightly written narrative, even the smartest horror film can lose its edge.
Still, ROMI is worth a watch if you’re intrigued by AI horror, love contained thrillers, or just want to see something with a bit more brain than the average jump-scare flick.
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