Ad Lucem

Set in 2032, Ad Lucem follows a tech company called AD LUCEM O.I. that has over 10 million subscribers to its virtual assistant service called CARA -- operated not by AI but by live human agents. Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, and Troian Bellisario star, with Bellisario also co-writing and co-directing alongside Joshua Close. The ethical questions pile up fast as the line between helping users and manipulating them gets uncomfortably thin. The cast alone makes this worth your time. Pine brings a charismatic edge to his role, Wilde is compelling as always, and Fiona Shaw and Clancy Brown add gravitas to the supporting cast. At 9 episodes running 16 to 47 minutes, the pacing varies -- some episodes are tight and punchy, others take their time building atmosphere. The show starts as science fiction but pivots into thriller territory as the darker implications of the technology become clear. It holds a 4.5-star rating from about 500 reviews, and the content warnings are extensive and warranted. This is not light listening. Themes of surveillance, consent, and the commodification of human connection run through every episode. If you liked Black Mirror's examination of technology gone sideways, Ad Lucem operates in similar territory but with a more character-driven approach.