Entertainment
Netflix’s Ambitious 16-Part Cyberpunk Series Is One of Its Best
Over the years, a number of TV shows have accomplished the impressive feat of earning a 100% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Among them is the first season of Only Murders in the Building, the second season fo Fleabag, the first season of The Bear, the third season of The Americans. But while most of these TV shows are also household names and went on to become streaming hits, one sci-fi series earned a 100% score from critics, but is still under the radar.
The Netflix original series Better Than Us, which released in 2018, has been underseen by the general public, but is still one of the best sci-fi shows ever made on the platform. The Russian series, which tackles a not-so-distant future where humanoid robots threaten society (think Westworld and Ex Machina) is a true must-watch.
What Is ‘Better Than Us’ About?
Set in the near future of 2029 in Moscow, Russia, Better Than Us follows a new society in which humanoid robots, shortened to just “bots,” are fully integrated into society as domestic helpers, security personnel, drivers, companions, and much more. But while most of these jobs seem inofensive, one advanced robot named Arisa (Paulina Andreeva) was built differently. Unlike her fellow bots, Arisa was designed to have empathy, an impressive IQ, and a disregard for the First Law of Robots: To not injure human beings.
Those features all put together, however, land Arisa in hot water in the first episode. After a violent incident with a warehouse worker at CRONOS, the company led by Victor Toropov (Aleksandr Ustyugov) that recently purchased Arisa, she kills him mercilessly and flees the scene. That’s when her fate intertwines with Georgy Safronov (Kirill Kyaro), a down-on-his-luck medical examanier who welcomes her into to his family, including his sweet young daughter Sonya (Vitaliya Kornienko). As the family bonds with Arisa and takes her in, she becomes the number one target of some very powerful people, including Victor himself.
Also important to the series is the anti-robot group called the “Liquidators.” At its core, the radical and extremist group is against the spread of robots, fearing that machines will take over society, by taking their jobs, relationships, and even identities. With the slogan of “Save Humanity,” the group will go to lengths to make their fears heard, including kidnappings, arson, and murder. As for Arisa, she’s exactly who the “Liquidators” are against: a robot who might not only take over their jobs, but begin to blur the line between human and humanoid. The series, which was created by Alexander Kessel, also stars Kirill Käro, Olga Lomonosova, Eldar Kalimulin, Vera Kincheva, and Alexander Kuznetsov.
‘Better Than Us’ Is a Netflix Must-Watch
From its synopsis, fans of humanoid robot shows like Westworld are likely already tuning in, but what sets the series apart is that beyond Arisa and the threat robots can have in society, Better Than Us has a family who’s going through a crisis of their own at its heart. Recently divorced from his ex-wife Alla (Olga Lomonosova), Georgy is close to hitting rock bottom when the series kicks off. His ex-wife is not only remarried and has custody of their two kids, but she’s planning a permanent move to the other side of the world. Georgy is at a loss, and Arisa’s strength and support becomes integral for him and his family not to fall apart. “[Better Than Us] offers a more hopeful view of a society where robots augment and supplement humanity, rather than simply coming in conflict with or replacing it,” reads one Rotten Tomatoes review.
Plus, while stories about robots infiltrating themselves into society isn’t exactly a novelty on TV, Better Than Us takes a stand about the future, and gives the rise of technology a new lens. “”It uses a police procedural format, plus a look at a detective’s troubled family, to tell a tale of corruption and greed that is about humanity as much as it’s about robots,” writes another review.
With all that said, while Better Than Us‘ impressive critics score on Rotten Tomatoes says it all, the series is certainly a must-watch on Netflix. With an interesting premise, impressive production design, and compelling performances all throughout, the series has a unique perspective on the not-so-near-future that might have viewers not only reflecting on major issues, but feeling hopeful for it too.
- Release Date
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2018 – 2019-00-00
- Network
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Channel One
- Directors
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Andrey Dzhunkovskiy
- Writers
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Alexandr Kessel
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Kirill Käro
Georgy Safronov
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