Eva Green's Horror 'Trees Are Watching' Undermined by AI Visuals
Bahman Ghobadi's horror film draws on Kurdish legend but is marred by poor AI-generated imagery. Eva Green and the child actors deliver strong performances, yet the visual inconsistencies create tonal and narrative disconnects. The review calls it a disappointing misfire despite its intriguing premise.
The film marks a genre departure for Ghobadi, an Iranian new wave figure, and arrives with Martin Scorsese attached as a board member. Its premise draws from Kurdish folklore, where souls return as trees and later inhabit furniture, giving the horror a mythological foundation that the director attempts to translate into a midnight-movie aesthetic.
Despite a strong cast — Green anchoring the adult performances alongside notably capable child actors — the production's reliance on AI-generated imagery proves its undoing. Reviewers note the visuals clash with the film's serious tone, creating disconnects that deepen as the story progresses, ultimately undermining what could have been a distinctive genre entry.
The film's reception highlights a growing tension in cinema as AI tools become more prevalent in production. Its failure could influence how studios and independent filmmakers approach AI-generated visuals, particularly in genre films where atmosphere and consistency are crucial. Audiences may grow more discerning about AI artifacts, and the involvement of respected figures like Scorsese could amplify conversations about artistic integrity versus technological expediency in filmmaking.