‘Marjorie Prime’, More Than Just A Jon Hamm Hologram Movie, Is Now On Amazon Prime

Just about a year ago, Marjorie Prime premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was quickly referred to as the “Jon Hamm hologram movie.” Not inaccurate! But if you’re simply expecting a semi-transparent, robotic Hamm, well, you’re in for a lot more than that. Because the sci-fi/romance/drama film, available now on Prime Video, is going to make you think. A whole lot.

Hamm stars as Walter Prime, a hologram in the form of Walter’s younger self and Marjorie’s (Lois Smith) late husband, perched, with perfect posture, on the couch in Marjorie’s home in order to help her with her dementia. The two chat about how they met, when they watched My Best Friend’s Wedding, and when they picked out a puppy. Walter Prime is supposed to help her with her memory, but sometimes she changes or misremembers information, or asks him to. And therein lies the main question of the film: what impact does (and will) technology have on us as humans and our precious memories?

Geena Davis also stars as Marjorie’s daughter Tess, who leaves interacting with the hologram to her husband Jon (Tim Robbins). Michael Almereyda produced, directed, and adapted the play from Jordan Harrison into the film that frequently feels like it could all take place on a stage (Smith previously starred in the stage production). Comprised of many intense dialogue scenes, often between two of the main characters at a time, the film is very easy to get sucked into. But don’t press pause on this one: once you jump in, stay in it. If you don’t stay in the conversations, following the slight shifts from AI to human, it could be easy to get distracted and lose interest in the deep on-screen discussions. This is why the story might be best fit for the stage, where it is sure to hold your attention.

And not that there’s not enough to sink into. Marjorie Prime feels like if the AI from Ex Machina met the Her from Her mixed with the old people’s storyline from The Notebook. Fans of Black Mirror are sure to find something they enjoy here, although the film leans much more sentimental than sexy, as the trailer would have you believe.

What Marjorie Prime has to say, or warn, about technology is sure to make you think. Addressing the plusses and minuses of incorporating technological advances into our lives, from light uses to reliance, will always be a complicated subject, and one that we’ll be continuing to navigate through films and our everyday lives. Marjorie Prime excels at bringing all advantages and dangers to light, and with help from a chilling score, highlights just how creepy this concept could (and probably will) be.

There are no weak links in this cast, as each character is given a range of emotions and opportunities to explore on-screen. Marjorie Prime might not move film’s AI exploration into completely new territory, but it will have you contemplating its place in your life long after the movie ends. This one might even have you questioning if a Jon Hamm hologram is a good idea after all…

Where to watch Marjorie Prime