Archive

Archive is a 2020 British science fiction film written and directed by Gavin Rothery, in his directorial debut. It stars Theo James, Stacy Martin, Rhona Mitra, Peter Ferdinando and Toby Jones. Set in year 2038, the film follows a scientist who is trying to advance artificial intelligence a step further than human beings, all while bringing his wife back from the dead.

The film was originally set to premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It instead received a digital release with limited screenings in theatres around the United States on 10 July 2020.

2038: George Almore is working on a true human-equivalent AI, and his latest prototype is almost ready. This sensitive phase is also the riskiest as he has a goal that must be hidden at all costs — being reunited with his dead wife.

Casting:

• Theo James as George Almore
• Stacy Martin as Jules Almore/J3, George's wife
• Martin also provides the voice for the robot J2
• Rhona Mitra as Simone, VP of Internal Development at Artisan Robotics
• Peter Ferdinando as Mr. Tagg
• Richard Glover as Melvin, an associate of Vincent Sinclair
• Hans Peterson as Elson
• Lia Williams as the voice system of George's house
• Toby Jones as Vincent Sinclair, an executive of the Archive company

On 14 May 2017, It was announced that concept and graphic artist Gavin Rothery, who had worked with Duncan Jones on his first feature, Moon, would be writing and directing Archive with Theo James set to star. On 31 October 2018, Philip Herd and Cora Helfrey of Independent joined as producers for the project, with Stacy Martin joining the cast, starring opposite Theo James. James also brought on his production label, Untapped, and would be producing alongside Andrew D. Corkin. Vertical Entertainment later acquired the distribution rights for the U.S, with the international rights currently up for sale.

Principal photography began in Hungary in late October 2018 and ended in February 2019. Laurie Rose served as director of photography.

The film was released on 10 July 2020 on digital streaming platforms by Vertical Entertainment after it was pulled from South by Southwest in March 2020 which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited screenings were also available in various theatres around the U.S. The film was released on 13 August 2020 in Russia in 260 screens and was number 5 at the box office charts in its opening weekend.