Murderbot Has 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, but Is It Really That Good?

Apple TV+ is adding another intriguing project to its lineup of sci-fi shows, including Foundation and For All Mankind.

Murderbot was adapted for the screen by Chris and Paul Weitz, brothers and directors with a solid Hollywood track record ranging from the family drama About a Boy to the second Twilight film.

Their first major series has a palpable and relatively fresh irony but suffers from a choppy pace that may be difficult to adjust to.

What Is Murderbot About?

Murderbot is a film adaptation of Martha Wells's book series about a wayward cyborg that helps its owners explore distant planets. After enduring repeated humiliations at the hands of humans, the bot hacks its own system but uses it for relatively harmless purposes – namely, watching TV series.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Murderbot must demonstrate the most natural robotic behavior.

The main character's new masters are hippie scientists. They reject slave labor and revere science exclusively. They do not immediately accept Murderbot, suspecting him of having manic tendencies.

The cyborg faces a dilemma: should he destroy his often-annoying bosses and live for himself, or learn difficult self-control?

Murderbot Is a Charming Sci-Fi With Short Episodes

The first and only season consists of ten 25- to 30-minute episodes – a fairly short running time, which is an undoubted advantage.

Questions about the consciousness and empathy of robots have almost always been raised in science fiction. Murderbot gives its protagonist completely human – and, consequently, ambiguous – motivations.

Getting used to people and trying to win them over is often an unbearable task, but it justifies all the effort put into it.

Alexander Skarsgård Is the Main Reason to Watch Murderbot

As expected, lead actor Alexander Skarsgård captivates the audience and is the MVP of Murderbot. Skarsgård has had starring roles in films, but he has often remained in the background in TV projects.

Murderbot is built on the droid's internal monologues, which Skarsgård makes sarcastic, unexpected, and touching.

After the reset, Murderbot's favorite thing to watch is sci-fi series, specifically ones with multiple seasons, like Star Trek.

Judging by the original source, Murderbot will return more than once. And let's hope that, during this time, the creators will improve their creation and become more creative.