My takeaway was similar to yours I think. This digs into the BIG ideas - what is AI, what impact will it have, how do we relate to "things" that become "alive"? I really love how these big ideas are the basis of the story, but are not the story - the true story is the interplay - who is fooling who. The layering of the story - foundation is the big story (whats the framework/theme) - but built on that is the action.

I think it's that, namely (a) strong sci-fi theme, (b) most of the film shot in one location, but also (c) a strong cast, (d) a really terrific central character (Nathan), (e) numerous biblical themes which resonate with a lot of people.

My takeaway is that this movie beautifully demonstrates my belief that there are no original story ideas, only original ways to tell them. We should always look for various ways into the story we want to tell and try out different walking shoes, even if they clash completely with the clothes we wear. That is the only way we can find the diamonds.

Kenny, you've hit on a key point. The Big Idea can't be so big that it overwhelms the characters. Or to put it another way, the characters have to be Big Enough to balance out the idea. Otherwise the thing becomes more of an intellectual exercise, rather than a Story which a vivid and compelling emotional life. "Who is fooling who" implies characters for each of those "who" references. As you suggest, that interplay is the "true story" and the Big Idea reveals itself as the unfolding meaning of the story as its core themes. This is an important takeaway and thanks for raising the point.

David, your list is the basis for a great thought experiment: What if a writer were to sit with these narrative elements and brainstorm another Big Idea which could exploit each of them? I'm especially intrigued by your note, which hasn't really been discussed much this week: Nathan as a "really terrific central character". He is expert at wearing every archetype mask, so he keeps us on our toes trying to get a handle on him. His shapeshifting is in service to his own scheme re Caleb, so he has a set agenda / conscious goal. Moreover his world view, while not necessarily something we might be inclined to embrace, is understandable and from his perspective at least a sound one. He's charismatic, smart, haunted by some shadow dynamic (what dynamics is his narcissism covering deeper within his psyche), in sum a fascinating character. And THAT makes for a great role. We may enter into a story through the experience of the Protagonist, but often the character who is the most interesting is someone like Nathan. And that's a great takeaway: Create compelling characters beyond your Protagonist.

Marija, you hit this one square on the head: "...there are no original story ideas, only original ways to tell them." Story ideas have all been done before. However... The crafting of the story structure. The shaping of each character. The presence of our voice. The exploration of various themes. Pace, scenes, atmosphere, tone, and all the rest, those specific ways we bring a story to life are our conduits for originality. That's an excellent takeaway... and sounds like a blog post waiting to happen!