In the future, humanity’s behavior has become so appalling that even robots are fed up. Apple TV+ is expanding its futuristic lineup, which includes “Foundation” and “For All Mankind,” with a new and seemingly intriguing project. “Killerbot” is an adaptation of Martha Wells’ series of books about a rebellious cyborg (played with an organic quirkiness by Alexander Skarsgård) who assists “clients” in exploring distant planets. After enduring numerous humiliations at the hands of humans, the bot hacks its own system but uses it for relatively harmless purposes—it enjoys watching TV shows.
Alexander Skarsgård as Killerbot in a still from the “Killerbot” series
To avoid arousing suspicion from government agencies and corporate observers, Killerbot is forced to exhibit the most natural robotic behavior possible. However, the new reality gradually takes over, especially after the hero’s new clients become hippie scientists led by Dr. Mensa (Noma Dumezweni) and the apprehensive Guratin (David Dastmalchian). The company denies any slave labor and reveres only science (with sexual interludes in between). They don’t immediately warm up to Killerbot, suspecting him of having maniacal tendencies. The cyborg faces a dilemma: eliminate his often irritating bosses and live for himself, or learn the difficult art of self-control.
Alexander Skarsgård as Killerbot in a still from the “Killerbot” series
“Killerbot” has been adapted for the screen by brothers Chris and Paul Weitz, directors with a notable Hollywood track record, from the family drama “About a Boy” to “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” Their first major series possesses a palpable and relatively fresh irony but suffers from a choppy pace that is difficult to get used to. The first and only season consists of ten episodes, each lasting 25-30 minutes—a fairly lenient runtime, which is a definite plus. In science fiction, questions about the consciousness and empathy of robots have always been raised. “Killerbot” manages to endow its protagonist with a quite human and, as a result, ambiguous motivation. Getting used to people and trying to win them over is often an unbearable task, but one that justifies all the means invested in it.
Alexander Skarsgård as Killerbot in a still from the “Killerbot” series
Skarsgård captivates the audience and is quite expectedly the most valuable player in “Killerbot.” The heir to the Swedish acting dynasty has already had leading roles in films (“Tarzan,” “The Northman,” “Infinity Pool”), but in television projects, he has regularly remained in the background. “Killerbot” is built on numerous internal monologues of the droid, and it is Skarsgård who makes them sarcastic, unexpected, even touching. The quality performances of Dumezweni and Dastmalchian complement the overall picture, smoothing out the ridiculous visuals and script flaws.
Killerbot’s Favorite Show
After the reset, Killerbot most enjoys watching the sci-fi show “The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Moon,” which is stylistically reminiscent of “Star Trek” with its many seasons. Judging by the source material, “Killerbot” will return, and more than once. One hopes that in the meantime, the creators will patch up their brainchild and become bolder in their creative decisions.