Automata is set within the not-so-distant future where Earth has become highly irradiated due to deadly solar flares. In order to rebuild harsh areas of the world people build machines, the Automatas, to help them. The Automatas are peculiar specimens that resemble a machine achievable by today’s engineers, so they are not too far-fetched. The Automatas are programmed with two inalterable protocols: the first being they must preserve human life; the second limits them from fixing themselves.

Most films stay true to Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, but Automata makes no mention of any protocols that oblige the machines to obey human commands. On the contrary, Asimov’s Three Laws do not limit machines the ability to alter, repair, or upgrade themselves. In the film, the machines not only alter themselves, but they become self-aware (alive) and show emotion.

Overall, I recommend giving Automata a chance regardless of its ratings. It looks great cinematically, the writing is decent, and it’s directed by a lesser-known director (Gabe Ibáñez). The main reason I would recommend seeing the film is to view something philosphically different than most mainstream films about robotics.