MOTHER/ANDROID

US, 2021, 110 minutes, Colour.

Chloe Grace Moretz, Algee Smith, Raoul Castillo.

Directed by Mattson Tomlin.

Post-apocalyptic science-fiction, science-fantasy.

Humans have been taken over by robots, robotic intelligence to dominate humans and rule the world. The story focuses on a young couple, Chloe Grace Moretz and Algee Smith, she nine months pregnant, their attempts to outwit the robots, find refuge in a military outpost where they are finally accepted and the expectant mother given some medical attention. However, the young man is dismissed by the authorities for fighting with his men to gain a travel pass and they are expelled.

And there are further adventures, pursued by robots, finding an abandoned house and setting up there, the young man fitting up a motorcycle and their attempt at escape. However, the young woman is taken in by a sympathetic forest dweller and taken to a refuge where she gives birth. However, it emerges that he is a top-scientist and aggressive.

In Boston, there is a ship to Norway which is taking refugees from the US, the young woman applying for herself and her baby – but rejected because they will take only the child (and she visualises his happy life in Norway. At the end, she is given the opportunity to take refuge in Portland…

1. Post-apocalyptic, the eastern US? The robots’ revolution?
2. New York City social life, homes? The beginning of mayhem? Explosions? Exile in the woods, the no man’s land, the military outposts, the scientist and his laboratory, Boston, the wharf? Atmosphere? Musical score?
3. Georgia, her age, discovering she was pregnant, her relationship with Sam, her family’s disdain of Sam? Indication of the robot and Halloween instead of Christmas? The behaviour at the party, the phone, the explosions, destroying the robots?
4. The consequences for New York, robot takeover, destruction? People fleeing to the woods? Georgia and Sam, nine months pregnant, the tent, decisions? Discovering the bike? Sam repairing it? Riding it, the pursuit?
5. Going to the military outpost, the search, accommodation, the nurse, discussions about the birth, advice? Sam and the fight with the soldier? The authorities, ousting the couple?
6. Their finding the abandoned house, settling in, taking stock? Sam and his wanting to move on?
7. Arthur, rescuing Georgia, the imprisoning of Sam, the robots in charge, Arthur’s explanation of the algorithms, giving her the protective coat, her witnessing Sam and the robots stamping on his foot? The rescue?
8. The revelation about Arthur, robot, his commission, the buildup to the confrontation, Georgia shooting him?
9. The rescue, Sam in hospital, Georgia giving birth? Sam finding the camera in the house, the last photo?
10. Georgia, the wharf, safety and Korea, the Koreans rejecting Georgia and Sam, willing to take the baby, the dilemma, Georgia signing the documents?
11. The aftermath, sans disappearance, Georgia alone, her imagination about how the child would grow up in Korea? Interrogation, joining the group going to Portland?
12. The blend between science and robots and the emotional journey, pregnancy, survival?