Andrew Garfield Transforms Into Sam Altman in High‑Stakes Tech Drama Artificial.
Andrew Garfield is stepping back into the world of tech titans — this time as Sam Altman, the CEO and co‑founder of OpenAI, in the upcoming film Artificial. The movie will make its world premiere at the New York Film Festival in October, followed by a limited theatrical release on December 25, before expanding globally in January.
A Trailer That Immediately Set the Internet Buzzing
Neon unveiled the first trailer on September 8, offering a tense, fast‑paced glimpse into Garfield’s portrayal of Altman. The actor embodies the CEO during one of the most dramatic episodes in Silicon Valley history: the November 2023 boardroom crisis, when Altman was abruptly fired and then reinstated days later.
The trailer shows Garfield-as-Altman discussing the creation of ChatGPT and declaring that its release “opened Pandora’s box,” setting the tone for a film that blends corporate thriller with ethical drama.
First trailer for Luca Guadagnino's ‘ARTIFICIAL’, starring Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman.
The film follows the story involving OpenAI focused on the firing & rehiring of CEO Sam Altman.
In theaters on December 25. pic.twitter.com/qoC8GL3Auf
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2026
A Powerful Ensemble Cast
The film pairs Garfield with Yura Borisov, who plays OpenAI co‑founder Ilya Sutskever. Borisov, nominated for an Oscar in 2025 for Anora, appears as the man at the center of the board’s decision to remove Altman.
Supporting roles include:
- Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, interim CEO during the crisis
- Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk
- Cooper Hoffman
- Jason Schwartzman
- Mark Rylance
Read also – Moonlight Returns to the Big Screen for Its 10th Anniversary
The Real Events Behind the Film
In November 2023, OpenAI’s board announced that Altman was being removed for “not being consistently candid in his communications.” The decision triggered a massive backlash inside the company, with hundreds of employees threatening to resign. Within days, Altman returned as CEO.
Artificial dramatizes these chaotic days, exploring themes of power, transparency, and the moral weight of developing world‑changing technology.
Read also – Hero or Threat? “Musk” Trailer Drops Like a Bomb
Guadagnino Directs, Simon Rich Writes
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, known for Challengers and After the Hunt, bringing his signature intensity and emotional depth to the tech world. The screenplay comes from Simon Rich, former Saturday Night Live writer and creator of An American Pickle, suggesting a sharp, satirical edge beneath the drama.
Garfield on Playing Altman
In an interview with Esquire UK, Garfield described Altman as someone who sees life as a strategic competition:
“It’s a game, and everything gets very, very simple. It’s, ‘I know I have to win this game, because I am the most ‘good’ person, and if I don’t win this game, Elon Musk wins this game.’”
Garfield emphasized that he has never met Altman and built the character from research, transcripts, and interviews.
A Spiritual Successor to The Social Network?
Garfield’s return to a tech‑drama role has already sparked comparisons to The Social Network, where he played Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin. But Artificial promises a darker, more ethically charged story — one rooted in the explosive rise of artificial intelligence and the people shaping its future.
Release Dates
- World Premiere: October, New York Film Festival
- Limited Theatrical Release: December 25
- Wide Release: January