I AM MOTHER (2019) Netflix Review

Netflix's amazing Sci-Fi, I Am Mother, explores a bleak dystopian future very similar to Pixar's Wall-E in many ways. The Earth falls under conditions too toxic to support human life before a robotic takeover where all survivors become hopelessly dependent upon robots. Meanwhile, the planet barely clings to life until humanity breaks away from dependency and reunites with the Earth from where it comes.

Will the ending of I Am Mother be as warm as Wall-E?

The story follows a nameless, genetically engineered girl aka Daugther taking her final steps into adulthood. Raised in a cold facility that is locked away from the rest of the world, she lives a comfortable life where everything is handed to her. Their facility harbors enough supplies to sustain tens of thousands of people including healthy food, top-of-the-line infirmary, and an ivy league level education. She never wants for anything.

Except for human companionship. She is accompanied in her facility by a single droid aka Mother specifically designed to raise children. This machine is Daughter's only companion. While Mother is dedicated to the welfare and protection of Daughter, it lacks human traits: compassion, empathy, mercy, and love.

It leaves Daughter feeling incomplete. She longs for a life with other humans. She becomes dangerously curious about the world outside.

Enter the woman.

She stumbles, injured and dirty, into the clean, unspoiled facility out of nowhere. She is untrusting, frightened, and jaded from a life of hardship. Every day is a fight for her life. Her stories of corruption and murder challenge Daughter's truth. Thus, Daughter is thrust into a sea of doubt and confusion. She embarks on a campaign of discovery.

what are the conditions of the world outside? Who is the dangerous one? who is the liar? what is the facility's purpose? What is Daughter's purpose?

There is only one way to know. She steps outside. She must experience pain, hardship, and trial. She feels for the first time. The pain of a blade on her throat, the ache of sore muscles from an exhausting run, and hunger. She also feels good, simple things: the wind on her face, the waves on her toes, the soft fur of an animal on her fingers.

Most importantly, she feels the despair of the hopeless state of the world around her. It gives her the motivation she needs to save it. This is her final step.

Only until she answers these questions and faces down the evil is she able to grow into the woman she needs to be. She becomes a leader for humanity. She grows from Daughter into Mother.