TLDR: Director Todd Rohal has clarified the role of generative AI in his controversial film ‘F— My Son!’, which debuted in the Midnight Madness section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. The film incorporates ‘AI slop’ in its pre-show to satirize corporate cinema, sparking discussion about its innovative and provocative use of technology.
Director Todd Rohal has shed light on the specific application of generative artificial intelligence in his latest feature, ‘F— My Son!’, following its highly anticipated premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film, a standout in the festival’s notorious Midnight Madness program, has garnered attention not only for its audacious content but also for its unconventional use of AI.
According to reports from TIFF, the film’s pre-show segment prominently features ‘freakish deployments of AI slop.’ This deliberate integration serves a satirical purpose, aiming to critique the increasing corporatization of theatrical moviegoing. Rohal’s approach positions the AI elements as a commentary on contemporary cinema trends, rather than a primary narrative tool within the main feature.
‘F— My Son!’ is an adaptation of Johnny Ryan’s underground comic, known for its provocative and boundary-pushing themes. The film itself is described as an ‘acidic indictment’ and a ‘gleefully profane’ exercise in poor taste, drawing comparisons to anarchic surrealism. It delves into a nightmare scenario where a geriatric, opera-loving hag named Vermina (portrayed by Robert Longstreet) kidnaps a young mother (Tipper Newton) and coerces her into a sexual encounter with her mutant, wart-ridden son, Fabian (Steve Little), under threat to the young woman’s daughter (Kynzie Colmery).
The cast, including Robert Longstreet and Steve Little, underwent extensive makeup by legendary FX artist Robert Kurtzman, committing fully to the film’s grotesque aesthetic. Tipper Newton’s performance as the put-upon protagonist has been highlighted for grounding the absurd terror with genuine pathos.
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Rohal’s decision to incorporate generative AI in this manner adds another layer to the film’s already subversive nature, prompting discussions about the intersection of technology, art, and satire in modern filmmaking. The 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival ran from September 4 to 14, 2025, showcasing a diverse range of films, with ‘F— My Son!’ firmly establishing itself as one of the most talked-about entries in the Midnight Madness lineup.
