2023 was a remarkably good year for animation, and the Academy Awards certainly honored very different types of films within their Best Animated Feature category.Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versewas a highly entertaining sequel that elevated the superhero genre, andElementalproved to be the highest-grossing original film of the year,The Boy and the Heronwas a very personal, semi-autobiographical film by the legendaryHayao Miyazaki, andNimonaserved as a clever commentary on personal identity. Despite being inducted into this prestigious class of nominees,Robot Dreamssadly did not receive a widespread release within the United States outside its festival run. NEON gave the film an early summer release that was rarely accessible within most markets. What is most frustrating about this botched rollout is thatRobot Dreamsis a wildly inventive work of artthat examines the complexities of new friendships.
What Is ‘Robot Dreams’ About?
Loosely based on the graphic novel of the same name bySara Varon,Robot Dreamscenters on the relationship between a Dog and a Robotthat meet in New York Cityduring the 1980s. The Dog is relatively happy living in his apartment, but does not have a lot of personal friends, and sometimes suffers from extreme feelings of loneliness. After ordering the Robot to serve as his friend, the two engage in a series of fun misadventures throughout the city. While it becomes clear that they are perfectly suited to spend time with one another, their relationship is threatened when the Robot becomes rusted by water when they are playing on the beach. Dog becomes desperate to save his friend, but months pass after he fails several times to get back to the beach. After both Dog and Robot meet different acquaintances, they begin to contemplate whether they will ever be able to rekindle their friendship to its former glory.
The formal inventiveness ofRobot Dreamsis highly compelling, as it does not feature any dialogue or attempt to translate what the characters are saying. The universe ofRobot Dreamsappears to be one in which humans do not exist, as Dog has many human-like qualities; iconic locations like Central Park are recreated, and the song “September” is used in several key instances. However, the lack of dialogue allows the animation to stand out, as the creative team behind the film did a great job at making the characters as expressive as possible. While the style of 2D animation may seem rather quaint when comparedto the more complex blockbustersthat DreamWorks and Pixar churn out yearly,Robot Dreamsuses its simplistic style to become more inviting.Once viewers are engaged with the joy of these two characters in the initial stages of their relationship, the subsequent point in which they split apart becomes far more devastating.
‘Robot Dreams’ Is Surprisingly Deep
Although there’s no content in the film that would make it unacceptable for younger viewers,Robot Dreamsis a film aimed at older viewersbecause of the complex ways in which itdeals with mental health issues.Dog may not have the words to express it, but it is evident at the very beginning that he is severely depressed, and seeks companionship to justify moving forward in life. The point in which he splits from Robot examines how people attempt to cope with loss. While Dog is excited about the possibility of meeting a new friend when he finds another Robot, he is resistant at first because he knows that it means accepting that his former Robot is gone.
Robot Dreamsexamines the complexity of the immigrant experience, as many of the points of conflict in the film are the result of breakdowns in communication. The opening scenes in which Robot and Dog witness all the different types of animals living in New York is a clear parallel to the confluence of cultures within the Big Apple.Robot Dreamstellsa timeless story about friendshipand acceptance that is relevant in any era, but its empathy for those that seem “different” feels particularly relevant right now.
Robot Dreamsis streaming on Hulu in the United States.
Watch on Hulu
Robot Dreams
“Robot Dreams” follows the journey of Dog and the robot he buys to combat his loneliness. Together, they share many adventures and develop a deep connection. Their friendship faces a significant challenge when an unforeseen incident forces them apart. As Robot experiences dreams and emotions, the narrative examines the evolving relationship between the two.
