Teknolust

Synopsis

Teknolust is a 2002 sci-fi drama directed by Lynn Hershman Leeson, starring Tilda Swinton in a multifaceted role. The film explores themes of technology, sexuality, and identity through the story of a brilliant scientist who creates three self-replicating android clones of herself. These clones disperse into the world, blurring the lines between human and machine while igniting questions about desire and the consequences of technological advancement. Set against a backdrop of cutting-edge science and surreal scenarios, Teknolust provokes thought on the fusion of biology and digital life, making it a distinctively avant-garde piece in early 2000s cinema.

Cast

• 

  Tilda Swinton

  Rosetta / Ruby / Marinne / Olive

• 

  Jeremy Davies

  Sandy

• 

  James Urbaniak

  Agent Hopper

• 

  Karen Black

  Dirty Dick

• 

  Al Nazemian

  Dr. Bea

• S.U. Violet

  Dr. Aye

Reviews

Teknolust has received mixed reviews, often highlighting its ambitious concepts while critiquing its execution. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 30% rating, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Critics appreciated Tilda Swinton's compelling performance and the film’s avant-garde approach to exploring technology and sexuality but noted the narrative could be inaccessible or uneven. Metacritic scored the film at 43/100, reflecting mixed or average reviews, with some reviewers praising the innovative storytelling and visual style, while others found it frustratingly abstract and slow-paced. IMDb users gave it a 5.3/10, showing a polarized reception among audiences. Variety described the movie as "an intriguing, if occasionally baffling, melding of sci-fi and art-house sensibilities," whereas some reviews from contemporary critics considered it "an ambitious failure that struggles to balance its intellectual themes with engaging storytelling." Overall, Teknolust is appreciated for its originality and Swinton's performance but is often seen as challenging and niche, appealing primarily to viewers interested in experimental cinema and philosophical questions about technology and identity.