Stoya - A.I. Rising (2018)

A.I. Rising, directed by Lazar Bodroža, is a Serbian sci-fi film that blends introspective storytelling with erotic undertones, set in a futuristic socialist world of 2148. The plot follows Milutin (Sebastian Cavazza), a cosmonaut sent on a mission to Alpha Centauri by the Ederlezi Corporation. Accompanying him is Nimani 1345, an android played by Stoya, designed to cater to his desires and monitor his performance. The film explores themes of human-android relationships, free will, consent, and the boundaries of intimacy, often drawing comparisons to classics like Blade Runner or Solaris, but with a distinct, more explicit edge.
Stoya, known primarily as an adult film actress, steps into her first major feature role here, and her performance is a standout. As Nimani, she navigates a tricky balance—portraying an android who is both a programmable object and a figure evolving toward something more human-like. Early in the film, Nimani is a blank slate, her responses mechanical yet tailored to Milutin’s whims, with Stoya delivering a cold, detached precision that suits the character’s initial programming. As the story progresses, her portrayal subtly shifts—moments of vulnerability, like a tear she isn’t programmed to shed, hint at an emerging sentience. A memorable scene features her performing an android-like dance, blending robotic stiffness with an alluring grace that captivates both Milutin and the audience. Stoya’s ability to convey this transition, despite her limited acting experience, is impressive and often cited as a highlight.
The film itself, however, is polarizing. Visually, it punches above its low-budget weight, with sleek spaceship interiors and atmospheric lighting creating a moody, immersive sci-fi vibe. The narrative, adapted from Zoran Nešković’s 1980s short story, aims for psychological depth, probing Milutin’s troubled masculinity and his complex dynamic with Nimani. Yet, it struggles with pacing—long stretches of silence and repetitive erotic scenes can feel like filler, diluting the philosophical heft it strives for. The frequent nudity and sex scenes, heavily featuring Stoya, lean into soft-porn territory, which some viewers find gratuitous rather than integral to the story. Critics argue this focus overshadows the film’s potential as a serious meditation on AI and humanity, while others see it as a bold, unapologetic choice that fits its exploration of desire and control.