Next Gen 2018
Directed by
Joe Ksander
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
In the futuristic city of Grainland, a young girl named Mai Su lives a seemingly perfect life with her parents. However, everything changes when a heated argument leads to her father leaving the family, and over the years, her mother Molly becomes increasingly consumed by her grief. In her struggle to cope, Molly buys several highly advanced robots called Q-Bots, which inadvertently causes Mai to feel neglected and isolated. As robots come to replace everything from educators to law enforcement, Mai develops a fierce aversion to them, making her an outcast among her peers.
Years later, as a teenager, Mai’s emotional turmoil continues unaddressed, with Molly being almost entirely unaware of her daughter’s struggles. When the launch event for the Gen 6 Q-Bots arrives, Mai’s disinterest leads her to abandon the line, leading to an encounter where she inadvertently destroys one of the troublesome robots. Cornered by security Q-Bots, she escapes into a chute that leads her to Dr. Tanner Rice’s secret lab, where he is developing a robot project called Project 7723, played by John Krasinski. Mai accidentally activates 7723, leading to a series of events that change both their lives forever.
As 7723 attempts to deliver Mai’s forgotten backpack, he faces various challenges, including hostile security bots that he skillfully evades. A catastrophic incident involving missiles leaves him with only three days’ worth of memory storage. Back at school, Mai encounters Ani and faces off with a bully named Greenwood, which only deepens her feelings of anger and rejection.
After Mai allows 7723 to stay in her garage, their bond deepens through a series of misadventures that reveal Mai’s growing fascination with 7723’s advanced weaponry. However, as 7723 approaches his memory limit, he faces the dilemma of which experiences to retain and which to delete. When thwarted by Justin Pin, the evasive CEO of IQ Robotics, and his fierce robot Ares, the stakes rise dramatically.
Mai and 7723 infiltrate the IQ headquarters to rescue her mother, who has been captured in a complex web of deceit orchestrated by Justin. Throughout their escapades, Mai learns to confront her own inner turmoil while also growing as a character who fights against the very machines she once abhorred. The thrilling climax involves high-stakes confrontations, strategic teamwork, and significant personal revelations, as Mai realizes the importance of the memories and connections that define her.
In a heart-stopping final battle, both Mai and 7723 make sacrifices, culminating in a bittersweet resolution where they must reestablish their bond from scratch. Despite losing access to his memories of Mai, 7723 eventually reactivates, setting the stage for new adventures. The film concludes with Mai, alongside her friends Greenwood and Ani, creating joyful memories with 7723 on the soccer field, a symbol of hope and resilience amidst adversity.
Timeline
Mai's Perfect Life
In the futuristic city of Grainland, a young girl named Mai Su enjoys a seemingly perfect life with her parents. This idyllic existence is abruptly disrupted when a heated argument leads her father to leave the family.
Molly's Grief
In the wake of her husband's departure, Molly becomes increasingly consumed by her grief. Her emotional state deteriorates, prompting her to purchase highly advanced robots called Q-Bots to assist her in daily life.
Mai's Isolation
As Molly grows more reliant on the Q-Bots, Mai begins to feel neglected and isolated. This unintended consequence drives a wedge between mother and daughter, leaving Mai yearning for connection.
Disinterest in Gen 6 Q-Bots
Years pass and Mai, now a teenager, shows little interest in the upcoming launch event for the Gen 6 Q-Bots. Her apathy leads her to abandon the line, resulting in an inadvertent confrontation with a troublesome robot.
Meeting Dr. Tanner Rice
In her attempt to escape from security Q-Bots, Mai inadvertently finds herself in Dr. Tanner Rice's secret lab. Here, she accidentally activates 7723, an experimental robot that sets off a chain of significant events.
7723's Mission
As 7723 tries to return Mai's forgotten backpack, he encounters hostile security bots. Despite the challenges he faces, he demonstrates remarkable agility, evading them to fulfill his mission.
Catastrophic Missile Incident
During his journey, 7723 experiences a catastrophic incident involving missiles. As a result, he is left with only three days' worth of memory storage, putting his mission and memories at risk.
Conflict at School
Back at school, Mai encounters her friend Ani and faces off with a bully named Greenwood. This confrontation intensifies Mai's feelings of rejection and anger, showcasing her emotional struggles.
Mai and 7723's Bond
Allowing 7723 to stay in her garage triggers a series of misadventures that deepen their bond. Mai becomes increasingly fascinated by 7723's advanced weaponry, hinting at her underestimated resilience.
Memory Dilemma
With his memory approaching its limit, 7723 faces a difficult choice about which experiences with Mai to retain. This dilemma highlights the theme of memory and the significance of shared moments.
Infiltrating IQ Headquarters
Mai and 7723 rally together to infiltrate IQ Robotics headquarters in a daring attempt to rescue Molly. Their mission reveals a complex web of deceit orchestrated by the CEO Justin Pin.
Confronting Inner Turmoil
Throughout their quest, Mai confronts her inner turmoil and learns valuable lessons about herself. She grows as a character, ultimately fighting against the machines she once despised in defense of her mother.
Final Battle
In an exhilarating climax, Mai and 7723 engage in a high-stakes battle against Justin Pin and his formidable robot Ares. This confrontation demands both sacrifice and bravery from Mai and 7723.
Bittersweet Resolution
The film reaches its conclusion with a bittersweet resolution where 7723 loses access to his memories of Mai. However, he reactivates, allowing for the possibility of new adventures together.
Creating New Memories
The story ends with Mai, Greenwood, and Ani enjoying joyful moments with 7723 on the soccer field. This scene symbolizes hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of connections amidst adversity.
Characters
Mai Su
Mai is a young girl who transforms into a resilient teenager grappling with feelings of neglect and anger. She initially harbors a fierce aversion to robots but gradually learns to face her emotions and embrace her relationships. Her journey reflects the struggles of adolescence and the quest for belonging.
Molly
Molly is Mai's mother, whose grief following her husband's departure leads her to rely heavily on robots for companionship. While she is well-meaning, her emotional detachment from Mai exacerbates her daughter's feelings of loneliness. Molly's character highlights the frailty of human connections in a tech-dominated world.
Dr. Tanner Rice
As the creator of Project 7723, Dr. Tanner Rice embodies the archetype of a scientist driven by innovation. His work reflects the duality of technological advancement, posing challenges and ethical dilemmas related to artificial intelligence. Tanner’s character serves as a bridge between Mai and 7723’s adventures.
Project 7723
Project 7723 is an advanced robot developed by Dr. Tanner Rice that becomes Mai's unlikely ally. With a limited memory capacity, he struggles with retaining meaningful experiences while forming a deep emotional connection with Mai. His journey symbolizes the battle for identity in an age of machines.
Setting
Time period
Future
The movie takes place in a future where robotics have become deeply embedded in society, influencing education, law enforcement, and personal relationships. This time period highlights the consequences of technology overtaking human interactions, leading to feelings of isolation and neglect among individuals, particularly for Mai.
Location
Grainland
Grainland is a highly advanced futuristic city marked by technological innovations and robotic integration. It serves as the backdrop for Mai's story, representing a world where robotics have replaced many aspects of daily life, causing shifts in human relationships. Despite its modern facade, it reflects underlying complexities and emotional struggles faced by its inhabitants.
Themes
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Technology vs. Humanity
Next Gen explores the dichotomy between advanced technology and human emotions, showcasing how excessive reliance on robots can lead to emotional isolation. Mai’s aversion to robots reflects a deeper struggle with her sense of abandonment and grief. The film ultimately advocates for the importance of human connection despite a backdrop of technological dominance.
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Growth and Resilience
The theme of personal growth is prominent as Mai navigates her emotional struggles and learns to confront her past. Through her bond with 7723, she finds strength and resilience, highlighting the journey of healing and self-discovery. The bittersweet resolution emphasizes the importance of memories and the connections that shape identity.
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