Val Kilmer returns – as an AI avatar in a gripping new drama
For those of us who grew up with VHS and cinema in the 80s and 90s, Val Kilmer is the very symbol of an era. He was the cool iceman in Top Gun, the wild rock star in The Doors, and he was the guy brave enough to go toe-to-toe with both De Niro and Pacino in Heat. After illness took his voice and put a halt to his career, we might have thought the final chapter was written. But then he reappears – right in the thick of it, stronger than ever, but in a completely new guise.
The machine that remembers Val
Now he's back with As Deep as the Grave, a psychological thriller that's already making waves in the industry. Here, Kilmer plays a writer on the brink of collapse, and this is where it gets really interesting: to recreate his face, the team behind the film trained an AI model on old footage. The result is so moving it's almost painful to watch. When his son, Jack Kilmer, provides the voice, past and present blend together in a way that feels both groundbreaking and deeply personal. It's neither cheap trickery nor a stunt – it's a gift.
Moments we'll never forget
While we wait for the new film to land in New Zealand cinemas, we can reminisce about the highlights already in the archive. For those wanting to stock up on physical copies, Blood Out recently hit Blu-ray in a crisp edition – a reminder that Kilmer was never afraid to dive into solid B-grade action, even later in his career. Here are some of the big moments we treasure:
- Heat (1995): Chris Shiherlis, the desperate younger brother in De Niro's crew. When he's sitting there wounded, being urged to flee, it's pure magic.
- Willow (1988): As the charming rogue Madmartigan – a role that made him everyone's favourite hero with a twinkle in his eye.
- Tombstone (1993): "I'm your huckleberry." Enough said. Doc Holliday is and always will be a legend.
- The Doors (1991): He was so deep into Jim Morrison you'd swear it was the ghost of the Lizard King himself.
And then there's the simple fact that Val is actually back in the spotlight – for real. Even if it's an AI helping him return, it's still his soul we see in every glance. Heat and Willow are long-established classics, but As Deep as the Grave shows the story is far from over. Sometimes all you need is a computer and a son with the same blue eyes to carry on.