Netflix’s “Cassandra” is a standout German limited series and is a blend of science fiction, psychological drama, and horror into a six-episode marvel. With its eerie, retro-futuristic setting and a scary AI figure running the action, “Cassandra” explores not only the possible dangers of conscious AI but the human need for connection.
The story surrounds the Prill family: Samira (Mina Tander), her husband David (Micheal Klammer), and their children Fynn (Joshua Kantar) and Juno (Mary Amber Oseremen Tolle), who move from Hamburg, Germany, to a secluded, 1970s-era “smart” home. This house is powered by Cassandra (Lavinia Wilson), an AI system housed within TV screens on the walls of the home, as well as an outdated, red, robotic body. At first, Cassandra seems to be an ordinary assistant helping the family. However, as the show progresses, her true motives are slowly revealed through psychological horror.
Cassandra, obsessed with reclaiming her role as a mother, manipulates her way into the family. She subtly isolates Samira by claiming that she might be insane before removing her entirely and sending her to a psych ward. The AI’s approach is disturbing yet methodical as she doesn’t use brute force but psychological manipulation, utilizing each character’s weaknesses and fears to her advantage. I found that the lack of gore made the show far more interesting to view, as I tried to analyze the character. The suspense builds as the Prills struggle to escape her control, making every episode an edge-of-your-seat experience.
Unlike typical AI antagonists, Cassandra is not a cold, emotionless machine. She is a layered character whose motives are driven by years of heartbreak and emotional longing. As a human in the 70s, Cassandra doesn’t resemble her AI counterpart at all. Cassandra was an ordinary mother, however, her life was filled with problems like an unloyal husband and a bullied son. The show’s parallel structure allows us to see a more “humane” version of her as a mother tending to her kid. This led me to empathize with the character more as she had to deal with so much hardship. In her life, she believed she failed as a mother. During her death, however, her husband, who was also a scientist, transformed her into an AI interface. Some believe that her consciousness was simply copied, meaning she doesn’t retain her feelings, and the AI is possibly acting on its own algorithm. This makes her figure more terrifying as the AI believes that her current actions are an act of love. Her interactions with the Prill children seem to blur the lines between maternal love and sinister control, leaving the audience torn between sympathy and fear.
One of the most striking elements of “Cassandra” is its setting. The house, originally an engineering marvel in the 1970s, is both fascinating and yet deeply unsettling. Its outdated yet advanced technology creates a unique look, with clunky buttons, glowing control panels, and a “diner” like feel. Cassandra’s robotic body is also interesting as its red, beaten-up body is able to perform many household tasks like cutting vegetables or mowing the lawn. The show, through its parallel structure, alternates between the 1970s life of Cassandra and the modern-day horror of the Prill family. The contrast between the warm feel of Cassandra’s home in the 70s and the cold and grim coloration of the house today adds a beautiful depth to the story.
With its captivating story, complex characters, and stunning visuals, Cassandra is a must-watch for fans of sci-fi thrillers. It is definitely a story that lingers in the mind, leaving viewers to question the difference between love and obsession and whether intelligence is superior to humanity.