This Netflix anthology series of 18 animated features varies in quality. My favorite is “Beyond the Aquila Rift” based on a wonderful Alastair Reynolds story. I wasn’t that crazy about the loopy “When the Yogurt Took Over” based on a John Scalzi story. Some of these features were only five minutes long, others approached 20 minutes. Many are violent and gory like “Sucker of Souls” where an archeological dig wakes a hungry demon. You can guess the result. There is some humor in a few of these features. “Three Robots” is set in a post-Apocalypse Earth with the surviving robots acting like sight-seers to all the destruction. Grades would vary from a bunch of “C”s to a few “A’s.” Overall, GRADE: B
NUMBER TITLE DIRECTED BY SCREENWRITER BASED ON A STORY BY ANIMATION COMPANY RELEASE DATE
1 “Sonnie’s Edge” Dave Wilson Philip Gelatt Peter F. Hamilton Blur Studio March 15, 2019
A woman named Sonnie remotely controls a genetically-engineered monster in underground gladiatorial battles.
2 “Three Robots” Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres Philip Gelatt John Scalzi Blow Studio March 15, 2019
After the destruction of humanity, three robots start to wander in a seemingly abandoned city.
3 “The Witness” Alberto Mielgo Alberto Mielgo N/A Pinkman.TV March 15, 2019
A woman witnesses a murder in a building in front of the hotel where she is staying. Cat-and-mouse game begins when she comes eye to eye with the murderer.
4 “Suits” Franck Balson Philip Gelatt Steven Lewis Blur Studio March 15, 2019
A small community of farmers pilot mech suits to defend their land from an invading swarm of insectoid aliens.
5 “Sucker of Souls” Owen Sullivan Philip Gelatt Kirsten Cross Studio La Cachette March 15, 2019
Awakened by an archaeological excavation, a bloodthirsty demon fights a crew of mercenaries.
6 “When The Yogurt Took Over” Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres Janis Robertson John Scalzi Blow Studio March 15, 2019
Yogurt developed by scientists becomes sentient and takes over the world.
7 “Beyond the Aquila Rift” Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra, Maxime Luère Philip Gelatt Alastair Reynolds Unit Image March 15, 2019
Blue Goose’s crew—Thom, Suzy, and Ray—are on a mission to reach beyond the Aquila Rift, but an error in the routing plot causes unexpected events to happen.
8 “Good Hunting” Oliver Thomas Philip Gelatt Ken Liu Red Dog Culture House March 15, 2019
In early 20th century China, a boy becomes friends with a shape-shifting huli jing after his father kills the huli jing’s mother.
9 “The Dump” Javier Recio Gracia Philip Gelatt Joe Lansdale Able & Baker March 15, 2019
A city inspector tries to convince Ugly Dave to move out of his house which is located in a dump. However, Dave and his pet are not intent on doing so.
10 “Shape-Shifters” Gabriele Pennacchioli Philip Gelatt Marko Kloos Blur Studio March 15, 2019
Two close friends in the Marines with supernatural powers have to fight one of their own in Afghanistan.
11 “Helping Hand” Jon Yeo Philip Gelatt Claudine Griggs Axis Studios March 15, 2019
An astronaut faces a life or death situation.
12 “Fish Night” Damian Nenow Philip Gelatt Joe Lansdale Platige Image Studio March 15, 2019
Two salesmen get stuck in the desert, and discover that the desert is not what it seems at night.
13 “Lucky 13” Jerome Chen Philip Gelatt Marko Kloos Sony Pictures Imageworks March 15, 2019
A pilot recalls her missions aboard the dropship Lucky 13.
14 “Zima Blue” Robert Valley Philip Gelatt Alastair Reynolds Passion Animation Studios March 15, 2019
A reclusive artist gives a final interview after 100 years.
15 “Blindspot” Vitaliy Shushko Vitaliy Shushko N/A Elena Volk March 15, 2019
A cyborg crew attempts to rob a convoy.
16 “Ice Age” Tim Miller Philip Gelatt Michael Swanwick Digic Pictures / Blur Studio / Atomic Fiction March 15, 2019
A couple who just moved into the apartment finds a civilization inside an antique refrigerator.
17 “Alternate Histories” Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres Philip Gelatt John Scalzi Sun Creature Studio March 15, 2019
Multiversity, an alternative history research simulation app, shows the viewer the death of Adolf Hitler in 6 different timelines on their welcome demo.
18 “Secret War” István Zorkóczy Philip Gelatt David W. Amendola Digic Pictures March 15, 2019
A platoon of Red Army soldiers hunt down the undead in the forests of Siberia.
I’ve been undecided about trying this one. Scalzi has been bragging on his blog about several of his stories (including the ridiculous yogurt one) being adapted, and I see other names (Lansdale, Kloos) of authors I like. Hmm, still undecided.
Jeff, some of the animated stories of LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS are first-rate. Others…not so much. But, you can pick and choose what you want to watch.
I think all 18 films in Love, Death + Robots are worth watching once, and several of the 18 are worth watching more than once.
Jim, I agree with you. Some of the films, like “Beyond the Aquila Rift,” are well worth a second look.
I’m inclined to give it a try. These anthologies shows are always hit or miss.
Speaking of anthologies, we watched the Coen Brothers’ THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS over the weekend on Netflix and definitely liked some of the segments more than others. But what was interesting to me was, that if you looked at how critics reviewed it, some had almost an exact inverse rating as to the best or the worst from other critics. One had the first, title story as his favorite, the next person had it ranked sixth of six.
Jeff, different strokes for different folks. Critics’s tastes tend to vary all over the map.
Patti, these short films run the gamut from very good to ho-hum.
Good. Something to watch this week. Thanks, George.
Jerry, keep the bar low and you’ll find yourself enjoying many of these 18 short films!