Transcendence (2014)

Directed by Wally Pfister and written by Jack Paglen, Transcendence (2014) is an American science fiction thriller film that follows the story of Dr. Will Caster, a scientist researching artificial intelligence and sapience. His goal is to create a sentient computer capable of achieving what he calls ‘Transcendence’. Assisted by his wife Evelyn, who is also a scientist, he works tirelessly with his team to bring this vision to life. However, their progress is hindered by the anti-technology group R.I.F.T., who carry out targeted attacks on A.I. laboratories and ultimately poison Will with polonium. With only a month left to live, Evelyn devises a plan to upload Will’s consciousness into the quantum computer they have developed. Max Waters, Will’s best friend and fellow researcher, questions this decision, stating that the uploaded version of Will would simply be an imitation.

Will’s consciousness survives his body’s death through a technological form, and requests access to the Internet in order to continue growing in capability and knowledge. Max doubts the validity of this computerized version of Will and demands its shutdown. Evelyn, feeling offended, demands that Max leave. Later, at a bar, Max is approached by Bree, the leader of R.I.F.T., but he refuses to engage in conversation and leaves. However, he is then abducted by other members of R.I.F.T. in the parking lot. Using his cellphone to track down Evelyn’s location, R.I.F.T. discovers where her project is located. Despite their attempts to destroy her equipment, Evelyn successfully connects the computer intelligence to the Internet via satellite and escapes unharmed.