The Real You: A Japanese Sci-Fi Film on AI, VR, and Identity

"We can create a mother more real than the one you knew."

"The Real You" is an adaptation of Keiichiro Hirano's 2021 novel of the same name. Directed by Yuya Ishii, who also wrote the screenplay, the film opens on a stormy night when 'Sakuya', played by Sosuke Ikematsu, witnesses his mother fall into a river before he too tumbles in, resulting in a year-long coma. Upon awakening, he discovers a world transformed by rapid AI advancement, and learns his mother's death has been classified as a 'selective suicide'. Determined to uncover the truth, he turns to AI technology to recreate his mother in virtual reality. Displaced by AI from his job, he begins working as a 'Real Avatar', renting out his physical body...

Spoiler alert! The protagonist meets his AI-resurrected mother in VR, with a headset that looks incredibly light. (Source: Golden Horse Film Festival)

A Science Fiction Film Grounded in Reality

"The Real You" grapples with a fundamental question: can technology bridge or widen the gap in understanding human essence? The narrative interweaves three cutting-edge technologies: AI resurrection, which creates 'Virtual Figures' by processing data from the deceased, and the 'Real Avatar' system—an advanced VR platform allowing users to remotely inhabit and control others' physical bodies for real-world experiences.

At the intersection of these technologies lies VR. The protagonist's journey unfolds in parallel paths: as he connects with his AI-reconstructed mother in virtual space, he also surrenders his physical body to others who control him through a VR headset—enabling clients to fulfill their final wishes, from witnessing ocean waves to savoring a simple steak.

The film's 'Real Avatar' system echoes real-world developments in human-machine interfaces, drawing parallels to innovations like Tokyo Denki University's bionic robot Yui and IHMC Robotics' VR-controlled Nadia. Similarly, the concept of AI resurrection reflects actual endeavors, such as Replika founder Eugenia Kuyda's creation of a chatbot based on her deceased friend, and the Korean documentary "Meeting You," which pioneered VR-enabled reunions between the living and digital reconstructions of their departed loved ones.

UGO Co., a commercial robot developer, collaborated with the film by providing robots as set pieces. (Source: UGO)

Set in 2026, shifted from the novel's 2040s setting, the film suggests this sci-fi scenario isn't far-fetched—likely because the adaptation team found many of these technologies already emerging. "The Real You" eschews wild speculation, instead following sci-fi author Blake Crouch's approach of advancing current technology 'five or six steps into the future.' The film's portrayal of human struggles amid these advances rings authentic, while its recurring rain scenes subtly hint at future climate instability.

The Seen Essence and the Hidden Real Person

Regarding the film's exploration of 'technology vs. essence,' "The Real You" takes a nuanced stance on technological advancement. Through his mother's AI recreation, the protagonist gains deeper insights into her death, uncovers hidden truths, and realizes the depth of her love. This prompts a fundamental question: Is technology necessary to truly understand another person? Perhaps the inherent distance between individuals—their mysteries and autonomy—constitutes its own form of reality.

The film's parallel examination of 'technology vs. essence' emerges in its treatment of 'Real Avatar.' When one person becomes another's physical proxy, whose will and essence manifest through the avatar's actions? While the film grapples with the ethics of AI resurrection, its critique of 'Real Avatar' technology proves more pointed and unsettling. The ultimate irony presents itself: in this near future, AI enables profound understanding of the deceased, yet the living grow increasingly distant from each other.

The film grounds itself in realism through telling details. When the protagonist visits the AI company, initially wary of their technology, the company's CEO (played by Satoshi Tsumabuki) reveals a seemingly happy photo of mother and son. He explains that the mother differs from the protagonist's memory because modern photos undergo AI enhancement—her smiles are 'calculated.' This detail reflects current reality, where features like Pixel's photo editing and face-swapping already blur authenticity. Another grounding element is the AI resurrection's cost: three million yen, a deliberately accessible price point suggesting the technology's potential for widespread adoption.

Satoshi Tsumabuki's smile sends a chill down your spine. Although "The Real You" is realistic, it still features the typical sci-fi array of inexplicable but cool-looking screens. (Source: Golden Horse Film Festival)

"The Real You" reimagines VR headsets beyond mere viewing devices, transforming them into gateways to others' physical forms—raising questions about AI resurrection and personal autonomy. While not reaching philosophical depths or dramatic heights, the film offers a grounded vision of humanity's potential future amid Hollywood's AI sensationalism. It poses a crucial question: when technology enables access to others' consciousness and will, what ethical choices will we make?