Peacock's 'Mrs Davis' Review: A fierce, surreal and astonishing villainization of AI
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sometimes cinema isn’t about good stories, but some bad stories crumpled into one composite that creates an incredible tale. With ‘Mrs Davis,’ the situation is something like that. Peacock’s new action-thriller show with a kick of AI, 'Mrs. Davis' has a great concept. The show deals with many things at the same time, like the incredible gift of technology, while highlighting its bad side and often. The show also takes us to an alternate reality where people think that nuns and convents are things out of this world — people aren't aware they exist.
The point to be noted is that this take on the action-thriller genre is trying to do something out of the box. Earler, there was the sadly cancelled 'Warrior Nun' and now it seems fighting nuns are a thing. But ‘Mrs Davis’ creators have an enemy far more mundane than supernatural monsters — an enemy closer to real life — technology and artificial intelligence. There are many mic drop moments in this show and many ulterior motives coming to the surface. But, through all that, there are generous and constant servings of dry cynicism.
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The alternate world of AI
'Mrs Davis' is set in a world that exists in 2023, but with a twist to it. The world in the show sees the domination of an AI entity and every person obeys this entity. The name of the AI is Mrs Davis, who is the world's nanny and the All-Powerful, all rolled into one — and she rules the world. Although the concept is a bit absurd, it still shines out as an interesting premise given the way AI is reaching into all aspects of our life. How far are we from living in a world like 'Mrs Davis' when our life is guided by AI 'suggestions' and algorithms?
The show points out the fact that AI will in many ways than one, transform the world if the algorithm game learns the secret behind keeping humans relatively happy and violence-free. Further, the AI is also seen rewarding her loyal followers with angelic wings, emphasizing her celestial powers, which can only be seen through a mobile phone, much like catching Pokémons.
Compelling hero nun
The lead Simone, played by Betty Gilpin, shines as a religious hero, but is more action-oriented. She is fierce, powerful and stands her ground. Betty Gilpin's character becomes the center of the story with delectable action scenes and willingness to take down the bad guys, which here is 'Mrs Davis' itself. The elements that makes Simone stand out is the fact that she is the only one who hasn't come under the sway of the evolved AI.
All in all, 'Mrs. Davis' tackles near future problems with a kick of bad humor, dry cynicism, while also giving out ideas to the technology creators about an AI-ruled world gone wrong. With many bumps and falls, 'Mrs Davis' is a great watch if you like watching the future happen on a device that's the literal enemy tool on the show.
'Mrs Davis' is now available to stream exclusively on Peacock