“Love, Death & Robots,” available on Netflix, presents an interesting way for storytelling to develop throughout a show. As a collection of 18 stand-alone episodes, the series presents viewers with an enthralling visual anthology. “Love, Death & Robots” provides some of the best storytelling that science fiction, dark comedy, and animation have to offer.
Each story operates separately from the others, meaning the show can be watched in any order. Approaching storytelling from this angle shows how Netflix is willing to push the boundaries of visual entertainment. With each story standing on its own, the collection offers a refreshing change of pace from conventional shows. The short film format allows the writers, Tim Miller and David Fincher, to build immersive shorts which draw viewers in.
From a farmer who protects his land with a battle-ready mech suit to an automatonic nine-tailed fox, the anthology hosts a cast of compelling characters.
These characters come to life as they explore the meanings of love, death, friendship, artificial intelligence, and humanity. Each story brings up interesting questions regarding the titular theme, and none of them provide satisfying answers. Inevitably, the viewer is left to wrestle with whatever meaning the writers may have intended.
The stories range in their intended emotional gravitas. An envisioning of sentient yogurt taking over the earth provides some lighter humor while still asking poignant questions about intelligence and power. An alternate history which portrays the red army fighting a horde of monsters shows loyalty and honor amidst the horrors of battle. A fridge holding the whole of earthly evolution over the span of a day perplexes a young couple. Three Robots explore the remnants of human society, making new friends along the way.
These stories are brought to life with breathtaking animation which changes from story to story. Some are more immersive and detailed, while others take a much more minimalist approach. This anthology does not simply showcase emotional stories, but also provides a look into the range of animation styles and uses within storytelling. Rewatching is almost a must between the beautiful storytelling and gorgeous animations.
“Love Death & Robots” should be on your summer watch list. It is not for the faint of heart, at times gruesome, bloody, sexually explicit, profane, and gritty. This anthology does not shy away from difficult themes or messaging. It is well worth the watch, but beware what you are getting yourself into.
I appreciated the willingness to deal with difficult issues without preaching easy answers. I greatly enjoyed the anthology format of “Love, Death & Robots.” It provided a great avenue for celebrating sci-fi and animation. “Love, Death & Robots is well worth the time; just be aware that it is for mature audiences.
