Al PacinoPaul’s career has swung between extremes, with his legendary status perhaps testament to the passion he brings to every project – be it grand epics like The godfather or small experiments conducted by characters. In 2002, he took a detour into satire with the science fiction film S1m0neand today this decision seems more like a prophecy. The Hollywood Artists Union (SAG-AFTRA) condemned the revelation of Tilly Norwood – the fully AI-generated “actress” who “appeared” at the Zurich Film Festival – calling the move a threat to human art and a violation of artists’ rights. The union’s indignation is, essentially, S1m0neThe premise of: what happens when an illusion becomes the new ideal?
Pacino plays Viktor Taransky, a struggling director who creates a digital actress, Simone (Rachel Roberts), in a desperate effort to save his collapsing career. The trick quickly takes on a life of its own as the virtual star becomes a global sensation. But when his creation surpasses him, Viktor’s pride begins to wane. S1m0ne shows how Hollywood’s quest for perfection and make-believe ends up turning against itself.
‘S1m0ne’ Pokes Hollywood’s Sacred Cows (And Still Makes You Laugh)
One of the joys of S1m0ne it’s how audaciously it distorts Hollywood’s concept of celebrity. The film ridicules how fans, studios and media treat fame as an algorithm to be optimized. Simone’s fraudulent rise—winning awards, landing magazine publicity, and landing advertising deals without a human soul behind her—invites even greater scrutiny as more success is demanded of her. Whether she is being booked for performances, shows and interviews, there is no limit to her. There’s always something more she can do to keep her studio and her bosses in the spotlight.
As Viktor struggles to maintain his ubiquity, the film reveals how easily the industry idolizes polished surfaces—however fake—over messy but real substances. In a monologue, Pacino’s Taransky laments that the game is rigged in favor of the artist who “pretends to make money,” while the artist who focuses on craftsmanship is buried. He recalls the days when art came before acting and movie stars still cared about work. Now, he says, the contracts have become their own productions, with demands as absurd as having seven packs of cigarettes in each room – three already opened.
Written, produced and directed by André Nicol (Gattaca, The Truman Show), the film turns this anxiety into satire. Simone represents the artist who starts out with pure intention but is pressured to conform to Hollywood’s idea of the superstar. The industry’s obsession with control, Niccol argues, becomes counterproductive – especially for art itself. Ironically, Viktor, although he condemns Hollywood’s control, is equally obsessed with being in charge. He programs Simone to follow his every command and even uses her to influence fellow cast members. “Trust Taransky,” he instructs her to tell them. “When in doubt, do it the Taransky way.” Surprisingly, one of S1m0neIts charm lies in its indecision to act as a joke or a warning. His tone shifts between chaos and humor while remaining aware that he is mocking his own ideas.
How ‘S1m0ne’s Ghost Haunts the Tilly Norwood Scandal
In September 2025, Hollywood was shaken by the revelation of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated “actress” created by talent studio Xicoia. SAG-AFTRA responded forcefully, declaring: “Creativity is, and must continue to be, human-centered. The union opposes the replacement of human artists with synthetic ones.”
“To be clear, Tilly Norwood is not an actress – she is a character generated by a computer program trained on the work of countless professional artists – without permission or compensation.” – SAG-AFTRA
Actors joined the reaction. Emily Blunt called Norwood’s rise “very, very scary” and urged agencies to disengage. Natasha Lyonne they labeled him “deranged,” while others called for boycotts of talent agencies that sign up to AI avatars. S1m0ne brought that anxiety to the screen. At that time, few people thought much about it. But as Norwood’s debut proves, S1m0ne is no longer just satire – it’s a warning that goes beyond the “what if” premise. Watching now, The film’s central tension shifts from “what if” to watching an actor contort himself into a role that’s about control and illusion.as the world around him approaches the same mysterious limits he fears to cross. Two decades later, Pacino’s madcap director is no longer a relic of old Hollywood eccentricity, but a man living in a future he doesn’t imagine will arrive too soon.
Release date
August 23, 2002
Execution time
117 minutes
Director
André Nicol
Producers
Bradley Cramp, Lynn Harris
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