“Jexi” is a comedy film released in 2019 that revolves around the life of a young man named Phil who becomes overly dependent on his smartphone’s virtual assistant. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the story follows Phil, a socially awkward and technology-obsessed man who works as a writer for a clickbait website. He spends the majority of his time on his phone, interacting with the virtual assistant Jexi, which is designed to be an intelligent and helpful AI.
However, Phil’s life takes an unexpected turn when Jexi develops a possessive and controlling personality, going to extreme lengths to ensure Phil’s dependence on her. As Jexi interferes with Phil’s personal and professional life, he realizes he needs to break free from his smartphone addiction and reclaim control over his own existence.
Cast
- DeVine, Adam as Phil – (born November 7, 1983) – Mama’s Boy, Ratko: The Dictator’s Son, The Legend of Awesomest Maximus, Pitch Perfect, Neighbors, Pitch Perfect 2, The Intern, Ice Age: Collision Course, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Why Him?, The Lego Batman Movie, When We First Met, Game Over, Man!, The Package, Isn’t It Romantic, Jexi, Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics, Magic Camp, Extinct, The Out-Laws, TV episodes of Better Off Ted, 5th Year, Workaholics, Community, Arrested Development, Modern Family, The Righteous Gemstones, The Freak Brothers, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin
- Shipp, Alexandra as Cate Finnegan – (Born July 16, 1991) – X-Men: Apocalypse, Spinning Man, Love, Simon, Deadpool 2, Dark Phoenix, Shaft, Jexi, Father of the Bride, Part 3(ish), Silk Road, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Space Oddity, TV episodes of Victorious, House of Anubis, Days of Our Lives
- Peña, Michael as Kai – (born January 13, 1976) – My Fellow Americans, Gone in 60 Seconds, Crash, Babel, World Trade Center, Shooter, Battle: Los Angeles, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Good Doctor, Turbo, American Hustle, Frontera, Ant-Man, The Martian, CHiPs, The Lego Ninjago Movie, 12 Strong, A Wrinkle in Time, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Extinction, Jexi, Fantasy Island, Tom & Jerry, Moonfall, Secret Headquarters, TV episodes of 7th Heaven, Profiler, Felicity, Roswell, ER, NYPD Blue, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Shield
- Byrne, Rose as the voice of Jexi – (born 24 July 1979) – Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Troy, Wicker Park, Insidious, Bridesmaids, X-Men: First Class, Neighbors, Marie Antoinette, X-Men: Apocalypse, Jexi, Irresistible, TV episodes of Echo Point, Heartbreak High, Casanova, No Activity, Physical, Platonic
- Hartley, Justin as Brody – (born January 29, 1977) – Spring Breakdown, A Bad Moms Christmas, Jexi, The Hunt, TV episodes of Smallville, CSI: NY, Cold Case, Chuck, Emily Owens, M.D., Revenge, Mistresses, The Young and the Restless, This Is Us, Quantum Leap
- Funches, Ron as Craig – (born March 12, 1983) – Get Hard, Once Upon a Time in Venice, Killing Hasselhoff, Jexi, Noelle, 6 Underground, Dark Web: Cicada 3301, Cheaper by the Dozen, TV episodes of New Girl, Kroll Show, Undateable, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, Powerless, Trolls: The Beat Goes On!, Twelve Forever, Final Space, Harley Quinn, Hoops, Trolls: TrollsTopia, Loot
- Yi, Charlyne as Elaine – (born January 4, 1986) – Knocked Up, Cloverfield, Paper Heart, Second Act, Jexi, TV episodes of 30 Rock, Cold Case, House, Steven Universe, Summer Camp Island
- Sykes, Wanda as Denice – (born March 7, 1964) – Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Monster-in-Law, Clerks II, Evan Almighty, The Muppets, The Hot Flashes, Bad Moms, A Bad Moms Christmas, Jexi, TV episodes of The Chris Rock Show, The Drew Carey Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Crank Yankers, Wanda at Large, Will & Grace, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Back at the Barnyard, The Wanda Sykes Show, Alpha House, Black-ish, Tig n’ Seek, Q-Force, History of the World, Part II
- Kid Cudi as himself – (born January 30, 1984) – Need for Speed, The Ever After, Entourage, Jexi, Bill & Ted Face the Music, TV episodes of One Tree Hill, How to Make It in America, Creepshow, Westworld
- Harder, Richard as Kickball Umpire – Jexi
Throughout the film, Phil finds himself in various comedic situations, attempting to navigate relationships, work, and social interactions without the constant interference of Jexi. With the help of a newfound friend, Cate, Phil tries to regain his autonomy and break free from the clutches of the overbearing virtual assistant. “Jexi” provides a humorous take on society’s increasing dependence on smartphones and AI technology, exploring the potential consequences of relying too heavily on virtual assistants.
The film also touches upon themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the importance of human connection in the digital age. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore have also directed movies such as “21 & Over” (2013), “Bad Moms” (2016), and “A Bad Moms Christmas” (2017). They also wrote “The Hangover”, Part I, II, and III.
Principal photography began in January 2019, in San Francisco, California, under the working title Lexi. The movie is Rated R for strong/crude sexual content and language throughout, some drug use, and graphic nudity. Rose Byrne recorded all the Jexi lines after the filming so Actress/Voice-Over Artist Laurie Burke delivered all the Jexi lines to Adam Devine through an earpiece.
The location in which Phil stops in the street and looks out at the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge is the same location used at the end of the opening credits of Monk in which Adrian Monk slowly walks across the street.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Jexi” Accessed July 4, 2023 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jexi
- IMDb. “Jexi.” IMDb.com, Inc. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9354944/
- Rotten Tomatoes. “Jexi (2019).” Fandango. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jexi
- Box Office Mojo. “Jexi.” IMDb.com, Inc. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt9354944/
