Monica Barbaro confirms OpenAI-funded film 'Artificial' in Rome.

Monica Barbaro has given the first public clues about Luca Guadagnino’s next film, an OpenAI-backed project simply titled *Artificial*.

Speaking at a Q&A for her one-night Broadway show *One Night Only* in Los Angeles, the actress described the still-unreleased movie as a “madcap comedy” and, in stark contrast, “a horror story” — depending on who’s doing the talking. Guadagnino, known for stylish genre-blending films like *Call Me By Your Name* and *Suspiria*, has kept details of the project under tight wraps since OpenAI’s $50 million equity investment in the project was announced in February 2024. The Italian director is said to be drawing from multiple scripts, including an original story by *Bones and All* writer David Kajganich, and has described it as a “sci-fi fable” that explores human intimacy through artificial intelligence.

Barbaro’s comments come after Timothée Chalamet, her *One Night Only* co-star and frequent collaborator, sparked speculation by joking during a press event that the film might involve “ballet and AI” — a line that Guadagnino later embraced as poetic shorthand. The project has been in active development for over a year, with Barbaro confirmed to star alongside Chalamet in June 2024. Filming is rumored to begin in Rome this fall, though production schedules remain fluid as Guadagnino reportedly continues to refine the script. OpenAI’s involvement marks a bold step into creative filmmaking, part of a broader push to fund original content that reflects AI’s cultural footprint — a strategy already seen in partnerships like the upcoming *Mila* starring Scarlett Johansson.

What happens next will likely hinge on the final tone Guadagnino settles on. A darkly comic take could align with his *Suspiria* sensibilities, while a full-bodied horror approach would echo *A Bigger Splash*. Either way, the film is poised to become one of the most-watched AI-themed releases in years, especially as OpenAI prepares to integrate clips or themes into its marketing around the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Barbaro’s teasing hints suggest she’s fully invested in the ambiguity — and the power — of a story where the line between creator and creation collapses.