If You Enjoyed 'The Wild Robot,' Don't Miss This New Animated Movie ‘Robot Dreams’

With a wide variety of films recognized by the Academy Awards in the Best Animated Feature category, 2023 was a notable year for animation. Notable nominees included the highly anticipated superhero sequel ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’, the year's highest-grossing original picture ‘Elemental’, Hayao Miyazaki's intensely intimate feature ‘The Boy and the Heron’, and ‘Nimona’, a deft examination of individual identity. 

‘Robot Dreams’, however, was not widely released in the United States outside of its festival screenings, even though it was nominated. Due to its limited summer distribution, many people were unable to see the movie. Given that ‘Robot Dreams’  is a highly creative movie that examines the intricacies of friendship, this was particularly disappointing.

Image Courtesy: NEON

The relationship between a dog and a robot in 1980s New York City is the subject of ‘Robot Dreams’, which is based on Sara Varon's graphic novel. Despite leading a nice life, the Dog is lonely and orders a Robot to be his friend. They go on a number of adventures together, but when the Robot rusts from being in the water, their relationship is put to the test. As time goes on, both characters make new acquaintances and wonder if their previous friendship can ever be repaired. The Dog is desperate to rehabilitate his companion, but he has a challenging task.

One of the film's most distinctive features is its use of emotive animation to portray emotions rather than language. Compared to bigger studios like Pixar or DreamWorks, its 2D animation style might seem straightforward, but it adds warmth and passion to the movie. 

Image Courtesy: IMDb

‘Robot Dreams’, which addresses issues of mental health, grief, and the immigrant experience, is especially moving for older audiences even though it is appropriate for all ages. The film is a timeless tale of acceptance and friendship because it poignantly illustrates the difficulties of empathy and communication.

–Farheen Ali