Goofy Sci-Fi Comedy Murderbot Might Just Take Your Mind Off The Coming AI Apocalypse
In an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives, the emergence of non-human intelligence poses some profound philosophical questions about humanity. Can we treat machines like friends or servants? How polite should we be to Siri and Alexa? These aren't just matters for etiquette experts, but debates that challenge the very nature of what it means to be human.
But will Murderbot, a new AppleTV+ series about a rogue machine exploring our mortal realm, provide any answers? The show follows Security Unit 238776431 (Alexander Skarsgård), a high-tech droid deployed to protect workers on a remote mining expedition. However, when he discovers he can hack and override his protocol, he re-christens himself Murderbot and uses his newfound freedom to watch reruns of the schlocky space opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.
As Murderbot embarks on a voyage with a crewed by renegades from the pacifist Preservation Alliance, led by commander Mensah (Noma Dumezweni), he finds his uncanny lack of emotion tested. Maybe not all humans are as heartless as he initially thought. The show explores big questions like: Is he "half bot, half organic" or just "one whole, confused entity"? Can a machine truly feel pain if it can't be hurt?
The creators, Chris and Paul Weitz, have gone for both a zany comedic feel and an ontological reckoning. The show is full of entertainingly absurd moments, from flesh-eating aliens to giant omnivorous millipedes. But beneath the humor lies some profound questions about what it means to be human.
The series takes a strong first-person tone, based on the novels by American author Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries). With short episodes that average around 23 minutes, the show is bingeable in an afternoon. The action primarily takes place on the ship or at low-key planetary pit stops, with a small but varied crew.
The cast delivers solid performances, particularly Alexander Skarsgård as the titular character. His visor is rarely off-screen, and he brings both comedy and pathos to his role. However, the show relies heavily on him to deliver, and there are moments where it feels a bit one-note.
The Weitz brothers seem to be aware of this, opting for a more straightforward approach that focuses on the story and characters rather than complex subtext. Foul-mouthed and intermittently violent, Murderbot is perhaps another symbol of the Deadpoolification of mass media – heroes that dispense with reverence for the world around them and engage in meta-analysis.
While it may appeal to fans of irreverent humor, it's starting to feel a bit hackneyed. A comparison to Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 is inevitable, given their similar themes and aesthetics. However, this show has surprisingly little soul compared to its cinematic counterpart.
Despite this, Murderbot remains an enjoyable, lightweight watch. Alexander Skarsgård brings a goofy sense of humor to his performance, which works well in the context of the show. If you're looking for a respite from thinking about the coming AI apocalypse, Murderbot might just do the trick.
The Verdict
Murderbot is a fun, if not always profound, sci-fi comedy that explores big questions about humanity and artificial intelligence. While it may lack some of the depth and complexity of its cinematic counterpart, it's still an entertaining watch that will leave you smiling.