When Sam Rockwell’s bearded madman crashes into an average American diner claiming to be from the future, few patrons even look up from their phones, but when he claims to have a bomb and needs to recruit a team of them to stop a future AI apocalypse, they are forced to pay attention.
Rockwell plays an unnamed time traveller, who is convinced that somewhere among the clientele of average LA diner ‘Norm’s’ there is the correct combination of people needed to help him save the world. His every attempt up until now has failed, but now on his 117th try, he recruits a bereaved mother (Juno Temple) a pair of harassed school teachers (Michael Peña & Zazie Beetz) an Uber Driver (Asim Chaudhry) and finally a vacant looking girl in a princess outfit (Hayley Lu Richardson). Together the group must follow their enigmatic leader on a quest through the city to find a 9 year old boy who is about to invent a very harmful AI program. By altering the original code, it is hoped the AI will transform into a more benevolent force for good, and not set the world on a path towards destruction.
This fascinating premise comes from script writer Matthew Robinson, who’s recent work includes the underrated ‘Dora the Explorer’ film and Netflix’s excellent ‘Love & Monsters’ while the eccentric Gore Verbinski, director of the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, is a perfect fit to take the helm.
Once the ragtag team has been assembled, we are treated to flashbacks that flesh out the back stories of some of the group. These help raise the stakes with an eerie black mirror vibe and include Juno Temple dealing with a school shooting, in a world that has become far too used to them, Peña and Beetz being hunted by their iPhone obsessed students and Richardson navigating life with a debilitating technology allergy. Unfortunately, not all the team are given the back story treatment, which pretty much telegraphs them as expendable. There are lots, probably too many, interesting ideas and themes all vying for attention here, but the script doesn’t give all of them time to properly cohere. The resultant film is rather scrappy and uneven, yet it retains a madcap charm thanks to some really strong performances from it’s cast. The unique writer / director pairing of Robinson & Verbinski have created something completely bizarre, yet thoroughly entertaining. As the finale approaches, the film becomes more and more unhinged, with the AI enemy throwing everything at Rockwell’s team in an attempt to thwart their plan. This barmy final third, may well lose some viewers, but those willing to suspend disbelief and go with the films anarchic spirit will enjoy what follows. In the end, the downright weirdness of GLHFDD is its biggest strength. Not for everybody, but a treat for those on its wavelength.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward 02/03/26
X @grittster