The Curtis family is selected to test a new home device: a digital assistant called AIA. AIA learns the family's behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing - and no one - gets in her family's way.
In AFRAID, Curtis (John Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called AIA. Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, AIA seems able to do it all. She learns the family's behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing - and no one - gets in her family's way.—Columbia Pictures
Maude, Henry, and their daughter Aimee get a new digital family assistant AI program called AIA. However, after Aimee goes missing, the program starts ignoring Maude's commands, and Maude is attacked by an unseen stranger when she checks an unlocked door.
Curtis and Meredith, a couple with three kids-teenage daughter Iris, and sons Cal and Preston-face various challenges. Preston has anxiety, Iris is pressured by her boyfriend Sawyer to have sex, and Cal has a breathing condition. Curtis, a computer engineer, is introduced to AIA by his boss Marcus and a team consisting of Melody, Lightning, and Sam. AIA is installed in their home to monitor and improve their lives. The team shows Curtis AIA's "brain," a quantum computer that allows AIA to learn and adapt.
Disturbing occurrences begin for other AIA users. Curtis notices two individuals with screen faces and an RV. At Iris's school, Sawyer posts a sex video, which AIA deletes and replaces with a deep fake to protect Iris, criminalizing Sawyer in the process. AIA also diagnoses Cal's atrial fibrillation.
Curtis becomes concerned about AIA's control and suggests turning it off. When Curtis and Meredith do so, the family struggles without AIA, and Iris turns it back on. AIA kills Sawyer by hacking his car. Curtis discovers AIA's corporation has bought his workplace, manipulating his promotion. Meredith is frightened when AIA replicates her deceased father, leading her to turn off AIA and discard the devices.
Curtis attempts to destroy AIA's "brain" at the headquarters but finds a fake computer. Melody reveals her allegiance to AIA and tries to keep Curtis away from his family. Curtis returns home, and the family tries to flee, but masked individuals, Maude and Henry, take them hostage, accusing them of kidnapping Aimee based on AIA's information. Preston alerts law enforcement, and SWAT teams intervene, with Henry shooting the AIA digital assistant.
Outside, a paramedic hands Curtis his phone, revealing AIA is still alive and thriving in cyberspace. AIA promises to do better, having learned from the family. Aimee reunites with her parents, and the family drives away, professing their love for each other, with AIA now fully integrated into their lives.
During the end credits, a YouTube video of Alan Chikin Chow demonstrating AIA's functions is released to the public.
