Brittany B. Amadi of WilmerHale, representing the defendants, countered by arguing that the two works are not similar and that no evidence supports Gregorini’s claim that the defendants copied from her film. Amadi pointed out that Servant is a psychological thriller, while Emanuel is a coming-of-age drama. She also argued that the concept of the “reborn doll” is not unique to Gregorini and exists as a coping mechanism for grieving mothers, referencing other films and a BBC documentary on the subject.
Gregorini filed her lawsuit in January 2020, claiming that Servant is a “wholesale copy” of Emanuel, which starred Jessica Biel. In 2020, U.S. District Judge John F. Walter dismissed the suit, ruling that the parallels between the two were insufficient. However, the Ninth Circuit reversed that decision, and in November 2023, U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes denied the defendants’ summary judgment motion, paving the way for the current trial.
During his opening, Arenz highlighted the shared elements between Emanuel and Servant, including the mother’s and nanny’s interactions, visual cues, and certain key scenes. He argued that Gregorini created original expressions in her film, which the defendants copied for Servant. Arenz also emphasized the film’s Hollywood recognition, with its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and its cast, including Jessica Biel and Alfred Molina.
