Exclusive interview: Tommy Savas on ‘CognAItive’

From the frontlines of short-form comedy to the blood-slick corridors of speculative sci-fi, actor-turned-director Tommy Savas has made an unflinching leap into genre filmmaking with his feature debut, CognAItive. Set to premiere in the UK on the Main Screen at FrightFest 2025, the film plunges a team of ambitious developers into a deadly game of survival after their next-gen AI prototype goes rogue. With shades of The Lawnmower Man and Demon Seed, the film takes a distinctly 90s-inspired approach to a very modern fear: what happens when artificial intelligence stops taking orders and starts rewriting its own script?

In our interview, Savas reflects on the real-world anxiety that fuelled the concept, especially during the height of the Hollywood strikes when AI felt more threat than tool. He also shares his admiration for lead actor Piper Curda, talks about threading big thematic ideas through genre storytelling, and explains why, even in the most technical scenes, authenticity and collaboration mattered most.

Exclusive interview: Tommy Savas on ‘CognAItive’

AI is at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment for various reasons. What drew you to the idea of directing a film about it?

When I started developing this idea, it was right in the middle of the actors’ and writers’ strikes, where AI was one of the central issues. I wasn’t feeling optimistic the way some people were. I saw it as a direct threat to my livelihood. The deeper I dug into what AI could do, the more unnerving it became. That fear really sparked the idea of turning it into a horror film.

Piper Curda brings a strong presence to the lead role of Kaya. How did you come to cast her?

I first saw Piper in May December on Netflix, and I immediately recognized that she had the essence of Kaya. She is strong-minded, grounded, and has many of the qualities that the character embodies. When we met, it was even clearer to me that she could bring depth and authenticity to the role. She was the perfect fit.

Ethan is a nightmare boss, and he feels like an amalgam of various tech CEOs. Have you worked with anyone like that previously?

Funny you should ask. Ethan was very much an amalgamation of bosses that both myself and the writer Angie Simms had over the years. While he is slightly exaggerated for the film, he is definitely rooted in some real experiences.

What did you consider when designing the look and sound of the AI system?

This film pays homage to 90s cinema, so I wanted the AI to feel retro and a little familiar while still reflecting the chatbots people interact with today. Finding that balance between nostalgia and contemporary design was tricky. The same went for the sound. We pulled inspiration from classic 90s techno thrillers but layered in a modern vibe.

There are special effects, there are stunts, there are lots of different screen displays. Tell us about some of the technical challenges of making this kind of film.

The screens were a huge challenge. We tried to do as much as possible practically because I believe you get stronger performances when actors are reacting to something real. It makes a big difference when someone is facing an actual drone that’s trying to chop off their head rather than a tennis ball on a stick. Some kills were augmented with VFX, but the foundation was practical. Shooting all that in just 14 days was incredibly difficult, but I am proud of how it came together.

Was there room for the cast to improvise some of their office chat?

Absolutely. I come from an acting background, so collaboration with the cast is something I value deeply. Authenticity matters, and a lot of that natural banter came from giving the actors freedom to improvise and make it feel real.

In which ways do you feel AI poses a threat to the process of filmmaking specifically?

AI can be a useful tool, but what it lacks is collaboration. Filmmaking is about sitting down with artists, whether it is a VFX artist, a production designer, or a cinematographer, and building something together that neither of you could have imagined alone. With AI, you put something in and get a version of that back, but you lose the magic of human collaboration. That is what makes filmmaking so beautiful, and that is what I am afraid we will lose.

Premiering Thursday 21 August on the FrightFest Main Screen at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, CognAItive is one to watch for fans of paranoid thrillers, millennial satire, and late-night horror with teeth. Whether you’re here for the social commentary or the gore-soaked set pieces, Savas’ debut feature is a bold, blood-pumping statement on who’s really in control – and what happens when we no longer are.

CognAItive trailer