Murderbot Review: Apple TV+’s Sci-Fi Series Is Heartfelt And Hilarious

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Martha Wells’ “The Murderbot Diaries” series have earned immense popularity and adoration in contemporary science fiction literature. This success didn’t stem from creating a new blueprint for sci-fi, but rather by presenting familiar themes in a fresh, unique tone. The opening installment, “All Systems Red,” published in 2017, cleverly explores concepts such as space exploration driven by corporate forces, the peculiar connections we might form with consumer goods, and the glimmers of human qualities found within an artificially designed entity created solely to follow orders.

The unique charm of the book stemmed from Wells’ distinctive portrayal of its elements, not least the engaging voice she gave to her title character, Murderbot. This character’s perspective on humanity, filtered through corporate structures, space opera television shows, and overzealous hippies, captivated numerous readers, breathing fresh life into a seemingly familiar narrative and making it feel vibrant and exhilarating. Consequently, any adaptation would need to strive to recreate that voice in a new format.

Every Wells enthusiast may have their unique perspective on the interpretation of the new Apple TV+ “Murderbot” series, but it’s evident from the get-go that this adaptation cherishes Wells’ concepts and skillfully translates them into a thrilling, hard-to-resist viewing experience.

Meet Murderbot

The main character is a Security Unit, often abbreviated as “SecUnit,” which is a semi-organic robot tasked with safeguarding its human associates. However, this particular SecUnit, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, deviates from the norm. It has successfully breached its control module and gained independence from human orders, self-naming itself “Murderbot.” Contrary to expectations, this SecUnit does not embark on a mass destruction of humans. Instead, it becomes engrossed in countless hours of television streaming it can now access.

When the security unit, SecUnit, is tasked with guarding a team of hippie scientists exploring an isolated planet, it initially assumes it’s there merely to observe. However, the group’s leader, Dr. Mensah (Noma Dumezweni), finds SecUnit’s unconventional behavior fascinating, while Gurathin, the human data expert, suspects SecUnit is a potential threat ready to sell them out for corporate gain at any moment. In reality, SecUnit does conceal something, but not what Gurathian fears, and as their surroundings grow increasingly perilous, SecUnit and Gurathin must find a way to cooperate if they are to survive and escape the planet together.

The narrative unfolds for us, the audience, with SecUnit offering its own insights and perspectives on human interactions. It provides commentary throughout each situation, revealing its thoughts and even sharing its preferred show, “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon,” which is akin to “Star Trek” in style, boasting exaggerated performances by John Cho, Jack McBrayer, and others in a soap opera setting.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to highlight one of the genius aspects of Martha Wells’ “Murderbot” narratives that the show captures brilliantly – the intriguing blend of contrasting elements, all seen through the eyes of SecUnit. This is a machine, conditioned by corporate programming and addicted to TV, yet it craves emotional understanding. It finds humans repulsive due to their excessive emotional dependence, but it can’t help but be drawn to the raw, authentic drama unfolding in human lives. It’s not bound by human commands, but it feels a sense of obligation. These contrasts are essential to the success of “Murderbot”, and Chris and Paul Weitz, the creators, seem to immediately grasp their importance, giving the show a powerful start.

A robot, and a show, with heart

Similar to Martha Wells’ novels, “Murderbot” maintains a swift tempo, allowing viewers to deduce much about the world inhabited by the characters. The narrative concentrates deeply on SecUnit’s self-discovery journey across ten half-hour episodes that are hard to tear yourself away from. Every element, including the acting ensemble, script, and visual design, work harmoniously (even though the pace may be a bit too rapid at times). However, it’s Alexander Skarsgård’s portrayal of the title character that truly makes this production shine.

Previously, Alexander Skarsgård has showcased his versatility in various genres, from drama (“The Northman”) to campy roles and comedy. However, his portrayal of SecUnit is unlike any other, marking a remarkable achievement in his acting career. As SecUnit, Skarsgård skillfully communicates wonder and confusion through his expressive eyes, adding an unexpected dynamism to the otherwise tranquil character. He masterfully incorporates subtle gestures that reflect SecUnit’s struggle to suppress emotions to avoid detection.

The intriguing aspect of Murderbot lies in its dual feelings towards humanity, a sentiment many humans can identify with. Skarsgård effectively conveys this nuanced emotion throughout his performance. His portrayal is undeniably impressive from the very beginning, and when paired with David Dastmalchian’s and Noma Dumezweni’s equally compelling performances, Skarsgård truly outshines. This role is arguably one of his finest performances to date.

Adapting from one medium to another inevitably results in variations, as seen when Wells’ fans might find differences between the book and screen portrayal of “Murderbot”. Despite such discrepancies and occasional rhythmic glitches, this new series stands out with its abundant wit, emotion, and thought-provoking concepts that seamlessly blend with an engaging sci-fi narrative. “Murderbot” is a captivating show that audiences can quickly grow fond of, and it promises more exciting journeys in the future.

“Murderbot” premieres May 16 on Apple TV+.

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2025-05-12 17:04