Andrew Garfield explores AI power and ethics in OpenAI film ‘Artificial’

Actor Andrew Garfield says curiosity and concern about artificial intelligence shaped his performance as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in Artificial a new film directed by Luca Guadagnino that premiered at the London Film Festival on October 11, 2026.

Actor Andrew Garfield says curiosity and concern about artificial intelligence shaped his performance as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in Artificial a new film directed by Luca Guadagnino that premiered at the London Film Festival on October 11, 2026.

The movie examines the development of OpenAI the company behind ChatGPT alongside the leadership disputes and ethical questions that have emerged during the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Its story spans two decades and includes Altman’s controversial removal from his position in 2023 and his subsequent return.

Garfield explained that he wanted to understand the people responsible for steering society into a new technological era. He also reflected on the pressures faced by influential technology leaders, who must navigate intense public scrutiny while making decisions that could shape the future.

The actor known for his role in The Social Network which explored Facebook’s origins, did not meet or consult Altman before portraying him. Garfield acknowledged that the film presents a dramatized interpretation of events rather than a definitive account of Altman’s life.

Altman previously told Vanity Fair that he did not expect the production to provide a completely accurate representation of him.

The cast includes Yura Borisov as Ilya Sutskever OpenAI’s former chief scientist and co-founder, whose departure followed his involvement in the events surrounding Altman’s temporary ouster. Their contrasting perspectives on artificial intelligence safety and ethics form an important part of the film’s narrative.

Mark Rylance portrays Geoffrey Hinton, the influential researcher often called the “Godfather of AI.” Ike Barinholtz appears as Tesla CEO Elon Musk while Monica Barbaro plays former OpenAI technology chief Mira Murati. The screenplay was written by Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live writer Simon Rich.

Barbaro said working on the project felt particularly relevant because debates involving the real people portrayed in the movie continued to unfold during filming. She described the experience as exciting but challenging, noting how quickly developments in artificial intelligence can change public understanding of the subject.

Filmed in 2025, Artificial arrives amid growing concerns about AI safety accountability and the possibility of increasingly powerful systems operating beyond effective human control.

“It’s about the people behind the technology, but also bigger questions about who should be driving the development of AI and how society can try to balance innovation with responsibility.