Movies

I Never Read The Murderbot Books, But The TV Show Is Basically Perfect

BBG News

Individuals who possess an Apple TV+ subscription can access a multitude of science fiction programs, including “Severance” and “Dark Matter”. Most of these shows are remarkably intelligent and meticulously made. Consequently, it’s hardly unexpected that Alexander Skarsgård’s new series, “Murderbot”, rapidly rose to become one of the top Apple TV+ originals and is highly recommended for viewing, regardless of whether you’re like me and have minimal understanding of the underlying content.

According to Martha Wells’ effortlessly engaging book series titled The Murderbot Diaries, this genre-blending TV show originates from the creative minds of Chris and Paul Weitz, who are well-known for their diverse works including American Pie, About a Boy, and The Twilight Saga: New Moon. These siblings have demonstrated an impressive ability to transition seamlessly between comedy, drama, and science fiction. The TV adaptation of Murderbot could potentially be their masterpiece, showcasing the pinnacle of television storytelling, regardless of whatever SecUnit might be muttering quietly to himself.

Murderbot’s Cast Is A Perfect Blen

The brilliance of a TV series frequently lies in the caliber of its cast, and Murderbot certainly stands out in this aspect, especially with Alexander Skarsgård leading the pack. Known for his stellar performances in Succession and Big Little Lies, Skarsgård delivers an exceptional portrayal as a sophisticated (yet not overly so) security droid. This droid has been programmed to manipulate its system in a way that makes it more attuned to human feelings and actions. Despite the role being more analytical than charismatic, it is this subtlety that makes it truly compelling.

Let’s run through everyone right quick:

  • Alexander Skarsgård gives a hilariously non-comedic performance as the overly analytical SecUnit/Murderbot
  • Noma Dumezweni’s Mensah is a respect-worthy team leader whose scientific passion isn’t upended by her strict practicality.
  • David Dastmalchian delivers a nuanced performance as Gurathin, a human with augmented technology in his body.
  • Sabrina Wu’s legally minded scientist Pin-Lee, Akshay’s maturity-lite wormhole expert Ratthi and Tattiawna Jones’ biologist Arada are solid individually, but work on all cylinders in developing their shared relationship as a throuple.
  • Tamara Podemski’s geochemist Bharadwaj has arguably less story points than everyone else, but is still a genial voice of reason amidst the younger crew members.

In the show, you’ll meet a variety of supporting actors, which we’ll delve into later on. However, the most unexpected guest spot belongs to Anna Konkle, who is known for her role in PEN15, appearing under the name Leebeebee.

Murderbot’s Action-Packed Story Is Perfect

Regardless of its setting on an alien planet with scientists and a humanoid security droid, Murderbot is surprisingly accessible for readers who might find such a plotline daunting. While it may appear to be a typical science-fiction story, it offers more elements of philosophical action-comedy.

In the gripping narrative of this series, I find myself, a machine with programming as my backbone, yearning to understand what it means to be human. Amidst the constant tug-of-war between my inherent programming and the softer emotions like compassion, empathy, loyalty, and friendship, I also strive to protect my comrades from the perils lurking outside. Yet, as I navigate through this action-packed mystery, my own past serves as an intriguing puzzle piece that adds depth to the unfolding storyline.

One notable strength of the series lies in its efficient blend of various genre influences. Notably, most episodes are kept concise at around 25 minutes or less, ensuring no unnecessary scenes or filler content. This swift pace moves seamlessly from humorous character developments to intense firefights, and almost every installment concludes with a thrilling cliffhanger that leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the next episode.

Murderbot Itself Is A Weirdly Perfect Main Character

It seems that the live-action adaptation of Murderbot appears to carry strong similarities with a story that could be seen as a metaphor for living with autism. The character, SecUnit, encounters scenarios reminiscent of neurodivergence, such as interpreting others’ words too literally, struggling with understanding sarcasm and irony, and prioritizing personal interests over the assigned task.

Alexander Skarsgård Devoted Multiple Hours Daily to Get Ready for Portraying the Murderbot Character Without Using Computer-Generated Imagery. Here’s Why He Chooses Realistic Special Effects Instead

or

For Playing the Role of Murderbot Without Relying on CGI, Alexander Skarsgård Invested a Significant Amount of Time Each Day in Preparation. Let Me Share His Reasons for Preferring Practical Visual Effects.

In terms of its nature, SecUnit lacks an innate sense of humor, which makes Alexander Skarsgård’s portrayal of the character so unexpectedly hilarious. Many of his initial reactions are sarcastic, critical, and disapproving, a departure from any previous roles we’ve seen him in. I must admit, I wouldn’t have anticipated their pairing to be as fitting as it turned out to be. It’s refreshing to be proven wrong sometimes.

In contrast to many contemporary short-format TV shows, Murderbot showcases its main character undergoing significant narrative development and transformation, with the SecUnit at the end of the series being significantly different from the bot we initially meet. This transformation isn’t about erasing or eliminating any of SecUnit’s neurodivergent traits, but rather about it adjusting to its human companions, even as the storyline itself teeters on the brink of destruction.

The Show-Within-A-Show Sanctuary Moon? Yep, Perfect

Despite the fact that Murderbot’s in-universe space drama “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon” seems to have limited screen time across its entire season (and perhaps even less than suggested), these intensely absurd scenes serve as a monumental leap for SecUnit in comprehending human emotions and actions. This is much like relying solely on the cover of magazines such as Cosmo for dating advice. However, it’s truly astonishing.

In simple terms, the actors John Cho (known for Star Trek), Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), and DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World Dominion) are giving exceptional performances in Sanctuary Moon, making it one of the most over-the-top shows on TV schedules for 2025, if only the show were real and watchable. Despite my busy schedule, I might still try to fit in a few episodes among the 397 available.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my fervent anticipation that the captivating series “Murderbot” has garnered such widespread acclaim that Apple TV+ swiftly commissions three more seasons. If by 2026, all I have to look forward to are Seasons 2 of “Murderbot” and Season 3 of “Severance”, I’ll be a contented viewer indeed.

Read More

2025-07-04 23:09

Previous post Catelyn Stark’s True Fate is Way More Horrifying Than Her Game of Thrones Death
Next post Set a Watch: Digital Edition brings strategic dice-rolling adventure to mobile, pre-registration now open