Apple TV+’s Murderbot Beat Blade Runner 2099 to the Punch as a Sci-Fi Follow-Up
Apple TV+’s innovative science fiction series, titled Murderbot, seems to be an extension of the world built in Ridley Scott’s classic film, Blade Runner. Interestingly, it premiered several months ahead of Scott’s upcoming sequel show, Blade Runner 2099. The original Blade Runner, with its profound impact on science fiction cinema, has long been regarded as one of the most influential and top-tier science fiction movies and franchises. It was instrumental in shaping the cyberpunk sub-genre and left an indelible mark on stories involving robots and artificial intelligence in popular culture. In fact, it spawned two live-action sequels: Denis Villeneueve’s Blade Runner 2049 and the upcoming series Blade Runner 2099, overseen by Ridley Scott and starring Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer.
Despite Ridley Scott planning to revisit the universe of “Blade Runner” around 2025, Apple TV+’s “Murderbot” got there first. Starring Alexander Skarsgård as the main character, the SecUnit, a security android assigned to protect a team of planetary explorers, “Murderbot” is based on Martha Wells’ “The Murderbot Diaries”. This series delves into the SecUnit’s feelings of unease and social awkwardness as it bonds with a group of humans it reluctantly grows fond of, while also seeking to reveal the truth about its violent history. Though not directly linked to “Blade Runner”, “Murderbot” serves as an engaging continuation of classic science fiction themes.
Apple TV+’s Murderbot Already Feels Like A Great Continuation Of Blade Runner
Murderbot Explores A Lot Of The Same Questions About Synthetic Life & Corporatism That Blade Runner Does
It’s quite evident that the character of Murderbot bears a strong resemblance to that seen in Blade Runner, as it explores the themes of an artificial being seeking purpose and liberty within a human-dominated society. However, Murderbot doesn’t merely echo Blade Runner; instead, it can be considered a spiritual successor to Ridley Scott’s enduring masterpiece. Essentially, Murderbot offers a glimpse into a future version of the Blade Runner universe, one where the Tyrell Corporation triumphs and replicants are not only present but enslaved, rather than being hunted down as is often the case. The central question in Blade Runner was whether replicants should even exist, whereas Murderbot poses the query: “should constructs have any independence at all?
Murderbot’s narrative not only builds upon the themes and ethical quandaries presented in Blade Runner, but takes them a step further, much like any subsequent work should. The governor module within Murderbot, designed to ensure it always obeys humans, bears striking similarities to the baseline test seen in Blade Runner 2049.
Moreover, Murderbot’s richly detailed universe, filled with varying degrees of autonomy among its robots and constructs, and the ominous presence of the malevolent Company, seems like an organic extension from the gloomy, neon-lit streets of Blade Runner. Despite its humorous and lighter tone, Murderbot serves as a nearly flawless continuation of the Blade Runner storyline.
If there’s a second season for the series Murderbot, it might delve deeper into the Blade Runner theme. The initial book in the Murderbot Diaries collection is the most light-hearted and humorous, but subsequent installments explore Murderbot’s past and the grim reality of its world more deeply. If Apple TV+ were to produce a second season of Murderbot, it could offer a significantly darker and more serious alternative to Blade Runner 2099 compared to the first season.
Blade Runner 2099 Still Has A Big Advantage Over Murderbot
Blade Runner 2099 Will Feel A Lot More Visually Distinct & Cyberpunk Than Murderbot Does
Just as compelling as a sequel to Blade Runner as Murderbot may be, Ridley Scott’s upcoming show maintains a significant edge. Unlike Murderbot, Blade Runner 2099 is likely to deliver the gritty, neon-lit, and ominous visual aesthetic that fans of the cyberpunk classic have grown accustomed to. Moreover, it’s expected to be significantly darker in tone compared to Murderbot, which aligns more closely with the brooding atmosphere often associated with Blade Runner.
| Murderbot Release Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | Release Date |
| FreeCommerce | May 16 |
| Eye Contact | May 16 |
| Risk Assessment | May 23 |
| Escape Velocity Protocol | May 30 |
| Rogue War Tracker Infinite | June 6 |
| Command Feed | June 13 |
| Complementary Species | June 20 |
| Foreign Object | June 27 |
| All Systems Red | July 4 |
| The Perimeter | July 11 |
Despite not being able to match the visual spectacle or overall cyberpunk ambiance of Blade Runner 2099, Murderbot offers an excellent opportunity to explore its franchise’s themes and ideas. Essentially, it delves into many of the same questions that Blade Runner does, but in a far more lighthearted, positive manner. For those seeking a story about a robot’s autonomy and its quest for purpose amidst a universe intent on enslavement without being subjected to a grim, somber narrative, Murderbot serves as an ideal alternative to Blade Runner.
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2025-06-07 16:30