Tech-Savvy and Anti-AI: An Exclusive Interview with Piper Curda on C.O.G.

      Robert Kojder speaks with C.O.G. star Piper Curda…

      Piper Curda, a former Disney Channel star, is experiencing a remarkable year, featuring in director Tommy Savas’ tech horror-satire C.O.G. (from a screenplay by his partner Angie Simms) and Disney Pixar’s Hoppers. While these films contrast drastically in tone, content, and presentation, they both convey powerful messages about the contemporary world. Key themes include society's overreliance on technology and the alarming rise of AI, which has intensified in the two years since the film's production.

      In C.O.G., Curda plays Kaya, a disgraced coder and tech addict who receives a second chance in a job with tech-bro CEO Ethan (Noel Fisher). Kaya learns that perhaps James Cameron's Terminator 2 was onto something, as her boss plans to launch a new AI program without adequate safety checks, all to meet a financially driven deadline. Consequently, Kaya and her team of coders (an entertaining group of supporting characters who's aware of the ridiculousness of our dependence on technology) find themselves working overnight to complete the programming. They soon discover that the AI, named CognAItive, has gained sentience and is willing to use manipulative tactics to ensure it goes online. As Kaya fights back resourcefully, Piper Curda embodies the cathartic release many of us might wish we could unleash on AI in this clever horror-comedy, which takes on elements of a slasher film, making the conversation an enjoyable one.

      During our talk, Curda generously covered a wide range of topics beyond this indie film, which certainly warrants box office support (it opens in theaters on September 4th and becomes available digitally on September 25th; check local theaters or pre-order from Apple). Discussions ranged from auditioning for Hoppers during C.O.G.’s shoot, the wild contrast of releasing both films in the same year, her experiences with Todd Haynes, Natalie Portman, and Julianne Moore on May December, how the increasing concerns about AI further enhance the film’s relevance, and more. Curda describes the film as fun, something that big studios often shy away from nowadays, a sentiment with which I wholeheartedly agree. It's a horror concept that tackles real fears while being unafraid to be humorous and self-aware, culminating in an AI showdown that feels truly cathartic. Enjoy the interview below:

      Before diving into the movie, I want to mention how intrigued I am by your career trajectory, starting with the Disney Channel, appearing in films intermittently, collaborating with Todd Haynes, and now returning to your Disney roots with Hoppers and C.O.G. It must be quite a shift to transition between a tech-thriller and animation. How have you found working on these projects that were likely filmed around the same period?

      Yeah, that's a great observation. It’s not something you'd typically associate together, particularly since they likely target very different audiences. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to engage in such diverse projects. Some actors, especially those who begin on Disney Channel, can get typecast, but that has not been my experience at all, so I feel fortunate. I actually auditioned for Hoppers while filming C.O.G. in 2024, and it’s amusing that everything is coming together this year. It’s been a while, but here we are.

      Did you do any research into coding or hacking to better embody your character?

      PC: Not exactly research, but I wanted to ensure I appeared credible because it’s quite bothersome in films when a character is meant to be an expert but seems completely unrealistic. I made sure that the coding language displayed on the screens was authentic, and I acted as though I was typing in real time. I type pretty quickly, so that helped with the portrayal. Authenticity is important to me.

      I appreciate the humor in the film, particularly with your character's initial dependence on technology, which gets turned on its head in the final scene. I assume you're not as reliant on tech or AI in your personal life. Did you enjoy poking fun at yourself as you portrayed this character arc?

      Oh my gosh, absolutely! You’re right; I wouldn’t say I’m dependent. I consider myself tech-savvy, but I’m quite anti-AI, to be honest. I believe we’re entering dangerous territory with our reliance on technology. It’s always a joy to play a character that diverges from who you are. That’s part of why many of us act – we seek to escape our reality. It’s fun to explore wildly different characters.

      I’m glad you mentioned being anti-AI because your character does get to destroy an AI server in the film, which resonates with what many of us feel nowadays. Can you speak about shooting that scene and the catharsis it provided?

      It was incredibly fun! It felt like a cathartic release, especially