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Superintelligence

Superintelligence

Single. Unemployed. Likes James Corden.

2020106 minPGMidcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
Director
Ben Falcone
Starring
Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry

When an all-powerful Superintelligence chooses to study the most average person on Earth, Carol Peters, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. As the A.I. decides to enslave, save or destroy humanity, it’s up to Carol to prove that people are worth saving.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Superintelligence?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Superintelligence to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Superintelligence?

Superintelligence earns 3 badges, led by Overhyped and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Superintelligence worth watching?

Superintelligence's Midcredits score is the 23rd percentile of all films, from 31K ratings across 6 sources. 29% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

23rd percentile

Better received than 23% of films

36th percentile among Action24th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)27th
Approval (how many liked it)21st

54 /100

27th percentile of all films

41st percentile among Action29th percentile among 2020s

Critics 41 · Audience 55

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

29% liked it

21st percentile of all films

34th percentile among Action23rd percentile among 2020s
29% rated it 7–1071% rated it 1–6

Critics 30% · Audience 50%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

93rd percentile

31K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Action94th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 39% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$4.4M

49th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both fans and detractors agree the film is a light, forgettable romantic comedy built around Melissa McCarthy's charm, with a thin, formulaic plot and a cast that does what it can.

Fans praised

  • McCarthy's charming and funny performance
  • Funny, with several laugh-out-loud moments
  • Enjoyable chemistry between McCarthy and Cannavale

Detractors panned

  • Unfunny, with a lame script and forgettable story
  • Fails as both comedy and drama
  • Badly written, stereotypical characters, especially the romance

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

McCarthy's charm and Cannavale's deadpan delivery stand out, but Corden's voice acting is widely panned as annoying.

HumorDivisive55

McCarthy's physical comedy lands for some, but many find the jokes unfunny and the humor hit-or-miss.

Effects and spectacle55

AI's global manipulation scenes are visually interesting but underutilized; the tech feels cheap and subdued.

Characters45

Carol is a likable everywoman, but the supporting roles, especially the AI, are seen as thinly written and stereotypical.

DialogueDivisive45

Some funny lines and zany moments, but often falls flat and feels rehashed.

Originality40

AI-studies-human premise is familiar; execution seen as derivative of other romantic comedies and AI films.

Plot and story35

High-stakes AI premise devolves into a formulaic, low-stakes romantic matchmaking plot; widely called predictable and lacking suspense.

Tension30

Despite world-ending stakes, the film lacks suspense, focusing instead on mundane romance with no real threat.

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Superintelligence like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
HopefulWarmTense
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its sci-fi premise lightly, focusing on comedy and romance, and never plays the threat straight.
The rideThe film maintains a light, optimistic tone throughout with intermittent tension from the AI's threat, settling into warmth and hope in the final act.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from Carol being contacted by the AI, through the three-day experiment, to the resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves you with a warm, optimistic feeling about humanity and love.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeAn ordinary woman is selected by a superintelligence to represent humanity in a test that decides the world's fate, while it also plays matchmaker with her ex-boyfriend. The story is a romantic comedy with sci-fi trappings, driven by the AI's threat and the reunion of Carol and George.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of filmsPurpose · 9% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeCarol's journey is about proving that humanity is worth saving through her own acts of kindness and connection, redeeming her species in the AI's eyes.
StanceThe film celebrates the idea that human goodness and connection can overcome even the most existential threats, affirming its primary theme of redemption.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score · Fil Eisler
SettingSeattle, present day, with a world-spanning AI presence through all connected devices.
MusicThe score blends light orchestral cues with upbeat pop to match the film's tonal shifts from comedy to sentiment.

Content guide

Is Superintelligence okay for kids?

PG

Superintelligence is rated PG: “Rated PG for some suggestive material, language and thematic elements” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (9/100), sexual content at mild (24/100), language at mild (20/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (24/100) and frightening material at mild (29/100). Overall it is heavier than 14% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 11 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • France10
  • IrelandPG
  • New ZealandPG
  • BrazilL
  • Hungary12
  • Netherlands6
  • Russia16+
  • Spain12
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 4% of all filmsHeavier than 14% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 8%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 54%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 33%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 42%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 31%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 31% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Superintelligence have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Superintelligence?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Melissa McCarthy
as Carol
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Corden
as Voice of Superintelligence
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bobby Cannavale
as George
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Brian Tyree Henry
as Dennis
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Sam Richardson
as Agent John Donahue
Ben Falcone
as Agent Charles Kuiper
Michael Beach
as General Saul Gomez
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Rachel Ticotin
as Director Tyson
Jean Smart
as President Monahan
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Sarah Baker
as Emily

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Superintelligence?

Movies like Superintelligence include Jexi (2019), To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021) and To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films set at a tech startup, and most are films that feel warm.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its story type: romantic comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Superintelligence?

291 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: robot or ai. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.