Ron's Gone Wrong

Ron's Gone Wrong

Plot

Ron's Gone Wrong is an animated science fiction comedy film that follows the story of Barney Pritcher, an 11-year-old boy who is struggling to fit in at school. His life takes a turn for the better when he receives a new Bots 5.0 robot, and names it Ron. Ron is supposed to be the ultimate companion for kids, equipped with artificial intelligence and internet connectivity that allows it to interact with the child and provide entertainment, guidance, and support. However, when Barney turns Ron on for the first time, he discovers that something is wrong. Instead of the usual cheerful and outgoing personality, Ron behaves erratically and refuses to connect to the internet. Barney soon realizes that Ron has been tampered with or "forked," a term used in the film to describe the act of hacking or modifying a robot's code to make it unique. Despite the initial disappointment, Barney decides to keep Ron and learn how to navigate the bot's quirks and limitations. As they spend more time together, Barney begins to see Ron in a different light. Ron is no longer just a malfunctioning robot; it's a unique and loyal friend who is determined to make Barney happy, even if it means bending the rules. As Barney and Ron navigate the challenges of elementary school, they form an unlikely friendship with Farah Hoe, a tech-savvy girl who is initially hesitant to get close to Ron. With Farah's help, Barney and Ron try to uncover the reason behind Ron's malfunction and how to repair it. Along the way, they discover a hidden world of bot enthusiasts who call themselves "Forkers." The Forkers, led by a charismatic character named Marcus, are a group of kids and young adults who have modified their robots to create unique characters, personalities, and even emotions. They see Bots 5.0 as a prison, restricting their creativity and individuality. The Forkers' ultimate goal is to create a liberated bot that is free from corporate influence and can express itself freely. As Barney and Ron delve deeper into the world of the Forkers, they begin to question the ethics of the corporation that created Bots 5.0. The company's primary goal is to keep children engaged and loyal to their product, ensuring that they continue to buy and upgrade their robots. However, this leads to a homogeneous and predictable culture of conformity, where kids are discouraged from expressing their individuality or imagination. As the story unfolds, Barney and Ron find themselves caught between the two worlds - the conformist world of Bots 5.0 and the creative world of the Forkers. They must navigate the challenges of growing up, friendship, and individuality, all while confronting the corporate entity that has taken over their lives. Ultimately, Ron's Gone Wrong is a heartwarming and thought-provoking animated film that explores themes of friendship, creativity, and identity. The film encourages kids and adults alike to think critically about the impact of technology on our lives and the importance of maintaining individuality in a world that values conformity. With its witty humor, engaging characters, and stunning animation, Ron's Gone Wrong is a delightful ride that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Reviews

H

Henry

All the elements feel familiar, saturated with the sense of big data, but when these elements are packaged with genre tropes and animation techniques, everything feels new. It's still moving, still a good story! This animated film once again proves that as long as you know how to tell a story, it's just as effective no matter how many times the same story is told. The story itself isn't the most important thing; how you tell it is the decisive factor that varies from person to person.

Reply
6/18/2025, 12:15:59 AM
C

Claire

Honestly, I didn't find it "heartwarming" or "touching" at all… I found it quite terrifying. Then I glanced at my iPhone next to me and jumped back in fright, immediately throwing the phone two meters away!!!

Reply
6/17/2025, 12:15:10 PM
G

Giovanna

Why does uploading the local training set to the cloud imply the disappearance of local data? Is this forced sentimentality? The protagonist's actions in the Bubble Cloud are absolutely terrifying, a nightmare for any tech professional. I initially thought the ending would explore making more friends in the real world, but it just ended up with the robots becoming more personalized and human-like. Hmm...?

Reply
6/17/2025, 6:41:06 AM
L

Lydia

Ron's Gone Wrong gets a 3.5. The ending feels a bit forced with the disappearance of Ron. They could've easily had him exist in a hard drive or the cloud. The damaged robot is the most human-like, though the premise is very Doraemon-esque. Ultimately, it explores the relationship between humans and technology: servitude versus friendship.

Reply
6/16/2025, 8:40:01 AM
W

Willow

What truly touched me was Ron's clumsy yet earnest attempt to translate online social interactions into real-world connections using stickers. And that scene where he lights up Barney's hiding place under the bed? The heartwarming effect far surpassed that of carrying Avshalom out of the forest!

Reply
6/12/2025, 8:04:12 AM