Movie Review: Sheep in the Box (箱の中の羊)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A moving and thought provoking Japanese sci-fi film. 

This movie takes place in the not-so-distant future, where through AI and robotic technology people can get a cybernetic version of lost loved ones. A couple who lost their 7-year-old son gets a cybernetic version of their son. The mom immediately accepts this as their son, while the dad finds it insulting that his son was replaced by (in his words) "a Roomba."

This film is not necessarily a movie for everyone. It's a slow paced and meditative film, that will bore some and fascinate others. Yet for those of who love these types of movies, this is where much of its charm comes from. This movie talks on some weighty subject matter including how we deal with grief, the nature of AI and what makes us human. All of this subject matter is handled in a very intelligent way. Unlike many films featuring AI as a major plot point, this film actually has subtlety in its messaging. The AI version of the young son is not dumb, evil or unsympathetic. However, he is also not their son. Even if outwardly, he looks and acts like the son, deep inside he is something else. The movie doesn't treat him as subhuman but rather just something different from humanity. We like and care for this character, but it becomes increasing obvious that he never quite fits in with the human world. This shows brilliantly that while it has it purposes, AI can never truly be a replacement for humanity. This all leads to an emotional and thought provoking third act, that even the most seasoned movie goers won't see coming. As we see how this AI cyborg is outwardly seemingly human but still can't fully be a replication of humanity makes the audience think about what it is that actually makes us human. Like all great movies, this film doesn't give any easy answers to such questions. The theme of grief is brilliantly explored with how the parents immediately react to this new kid. The mother is immediately willing to accept this cyborg as the reincarnation of her child before even getting to know him. The father on the other hand isn't willing to even get to know the child before dismissing him. They are not reacting to the child itself but instead are reacting to preconceived notions that are formed by how they are grieving the loss of their son. 

Though this quiet, mediative, slow-paced film may not be for everybody, it is a very smart and captivating movie for those willing to give themselves over to it.