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Finally, a sci-fi/speculative fiction film that doesn’t pander to audiences or get lost in hard sci-fi pretension. Automata follows a theme that’s been in explored in films like Bicentennial Man, I, Robot, and A.I. (amongst others, naturally): What happens when robots become sentient? Directed by Gabe Ibañez, Automata has the visual and thematic tone of District 9 with the gravitas of Blade Runner, headed up by Antonio Banderas. When discussing the film with a friend earlier, he mentioned Automata looks like the film I, Robot should have been, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ll keep my expectations tempered, of course, but I can’t help but be excited.
Automata will be in theaters on October 10th. You can read the film’s official synopsis below.
Fast forward fifty years into the future, planet earth is in the midst of gradual desertification. Mankind struggles to survive as the environment deteriorates and the slow regression of the human race begins in AUTÓMATA. On the brink of life and the reality of death, technology combats the prevailing uncertainty and fear with the creation of the first quantum android, the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Designed to bring support to society’s plight, man and robot reveal what it means to co-exist in a culture defined by human nature.
The descent of civilization is juxtaposed by the rise of ROC, the corporation at the helm of robotic intelligence. Despite the demise of humanity, the company has set forth security protocols to ensure mankind always maintains control over the manufactured population. As ROC insurance agent, Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) routinely investigates cases and complaints surrounding defective androids, he begins to uncover the secrets behind who is really manipulating the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Jacq’s own suspicions propel the mystery— uncovering a truth that is far more complex than the make or model of any machine.