--- title: "This Keanu Reeves Deepfake Is Giving Us Shivers" description: "There's a new addition to an ever-growing lineup of elite — and deeply unsettling — celeb deepfakes: \"Unreal Keanu Reeves.\"" date: "2022-10-09" modified: "2022-10-09" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/keanu-reeves-deepfake" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" tags: - "celebrities" - "deepfake" - "deepfakes" - "the digest" --- # This Keanu Reeves Deepfake Is Giving Us Shivers ![There's a new addition to an ever-growing lineup of elite — and deeply unsettling — celeb deepfakes: "Unreal Keanu Reeves."]() *\Image: unreal\_keanu/TikTok\* ## Excellent AIdventure There's a new addition to an [ever-growing lineup]() of elite — and [deeply unsettling]() — celeb deepfakes: "Unreal Keanu Reeves." You can find this fake Keanu Reeves on TikTok, where while dressed in everything from sweats to suits, the phony star convincingly references his [famous movies rolls](), [dances](), and cracks jokes about [lowering the toilet seat]() lid in order to [appease women](). And people really must love it, because the deepfaked character has already racked up 7.4 million followers and 34.8 million likes. https://twitter.com/plexaleOK/status/1576222699999068161 ## Pure Chaos That being said, this phony version of the "The Lake House" actor does have some folks a bit confused, as can be seen in the account's comment sections. "Not him? Him?" [wrote one undecided user](). "I go back and forth……" "Keanu Reeves is a bit pigeon toed," [wrote one digital sleuth](), who apparently has an interesting method for telling deepfakes from the real deal. "This is definitely not him." "Am I the only one who remembers when they warned us about deep fakes?..... Anyone?" [added a different]() — and apparently exasperated — commenter. "..... okay, Go Keanu, getcho groove on......" ## Keanu 2.0 Though the account doesn't itself clarify what tech it used to build the digital Keanu mask, some users think that it was [made using Unreal Engine 5](), a sophisticated game engine by Epic Games. To the creator's credit, the account is literally called Unreal Keanu Reeves, and their bio reads "Parody, Life and Enternal youth" — between "unreal" and "parody," the account holder does seem to be offering a disclaimer. But people don't always read the fine print, and it's likely that we'll see a lot more of these deepfake accounts spring up in the immediate future. While Unreal Keanu seems pretty harmless, there has been at least [one disturbing case]() of a deepfaked star fostering dangerous disinformation. Unreal Keanu, however, doesn't seem to be using his power for evil. "I wouldn't want your money," [wrote one pure of heart TikTok commenter](), "only your friendship if you are the real Keanu Reeves." **More on deepfaked celebrities:** *[Amazing Deepfakes of Margot Robbie Are Almost Indistinguishable from Reality]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()