Movie Review: ‘Lola Dust’ – A Thrilling Dive into the Perils of AI-Driven Deception.

The technology for artificial intelligence and digitally generated imagery is advancing at a fast pace. The thought of this prompts an unsettling question. What would you do if you saw a video of yourself on the internet, saying or doing things you are sure you never did?

This is the chilling premise of ‘Lola Dust‘, a thought-provoking thriller that dives deep into the alarming realities of our digitally interconnected world. Written and directed by Dom Cutrupi, this film takes an imaginative and creative look at the potential dangers we face as we grapple with the ethical and societal implications of fast-advancing AI technology.

At the centre of ‘Lola Dust‘ is Nadia (played by Jade Pattenden), an aspiring actress whose life spirals out of control after she lands a role in an indie short film. Soon after attending an audition and getting cast for a role, Nadia discovers her likeness has been used in a deepfake campaign targeting the British Immigration Minister. As she tries to expose the truth and find the perpetrators, the scandal doesn’t end there. Nadia’s identity is hijacked further as a persona crafted entirely with her image and voice named “Lola Dust” goes viral online. This fictional entity spreads vile and divisive rhetoric, stoking tensions on political and social issues. Lola Dust becomes an internet sensation, and no matter how vehemently Nadia insists she’s not behind the campaign, the more things get difficult and dangerous for her and her father.

Seeking answers, Nadia turns to Margaret (played by Micah Kelpin), a truth-seeking journalist who helps her track down the perpetrators of the deepfake campaign.

Jade Pattenden in Lola Dust (2024)

This film could not have come at a better time. With AI technology rapidly advancing and infiltrating nearly every aspect of our lives, it has become increasingly difficult to discern what is real and what is fake online. This central theme resonates throughout the film, making its narrative both relevant and unsettling as it tackles a conversation-worthy subject matter.

Jade Pattenden shines as Nadia, proving herself the perfect casting choice for the role. She imbues her character with an intensity that captivates the audience, whether portraying the distraught and desperate actress or the menacing, artificially generated Lola Dust. Jade Pattenden’s ability to convey Nadia’s frustration and despair makes her performance deeply convincing and emotionally impactful. Her portrayal underscores the psychological toll of being trapped in a scenario where your identity is weaponized against you.

The film also stars Lochlyn Munro as Roman Jalinski, the sinister mastermind orchestrating Nadia’s nightmare. Even though he has limited scenes, he certainly does bring a wealth of experience to the character that fully cements him as the film’s key antagonist. The supporting cast also delivers commendable performances. Across the board, the acting is decent, enhancing the believability and engagement of the story.

Visually, ‘Lola Dust‘ nails the thriller aesthetic. For an indie film, its cinematography, editing, and sound design are impressive and elevate the overall production value. The meticulous crafting of the visuals complements the tense and foreboding atmosphere, keeping the viewer interested and on edge as the story unfolds. The sound design, particularly in scenes involving Lola Dust’s online presence, underscores the eerie nature of the narrative and reinforces the unsettling theme of digital manipulation.

Lochlyn Munro in Lola Dust (2024)

However, the film is not without its shortcomings. The most notable flaw lies in certain narrative loopholes, particularly concerning Nadia’s handling of her predicament. In real life, you would expect a victim of such a scandal to exhaust all avenues in clearing their name. Nadia’s approach of focusing solely on one journalist rather than leveraging multiple media platforms lacks urgency and diminishes the plausibility of her response. This somewhat takes away from the story’s realism, leaving you questioning why Nadia isn’t doing more than just complaining and fuming to clear her name and reclaim her identity.

Despite this, ‘Lola Dust‘ successfully delivers its core message. AI is an immensely powerful tool, but it also possesses the capacity for tremendous harm. The film underscores our collective responsibility to ensure we do not contribute to the spread of falsehoods or allow technology to erode the fabric of truth. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to vigilance.

I will score this film 7/10. Dom Cutrupi’s imaginative direction and thoughtful storytelling make ‘Lola Dust‘ a gripping watch. It doesn’t just entertain, but it provokes reflection on the implications of living in a world where the line between reality and fabrication grows blurrier by the day.