‘Murderbot’ assessment: Alexander Skarsgård leads an enthralling adaptation of a sci-fi favourite

In the case of adaptation, Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries collection is a tough beast.

The collection’ principal attraction is its titular character’s internal monologue, an enthralling mix of snark and social awkwardness. That every one this commentary occurs internally — alongside key story motion going down on inner screens — works completely in a written medium. However how would Murderbot’s trademark voice translate to a visible medium like tv?

Enter Apple TV+’s Murderbot, created by Paul and Chris Weitz (A couple of Boy). The most recent in Apple TV+’s string of sci-fi diversifications, others of which embody Basis and Silo, Murderbot finds itself with the tough activity of bringing the internally wealthy, externally stoic character of Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård) to the display. And regardless of the problem, it succeeds — for essentially the most half. Anchored by a splendidly awkward flip from Skarsgård and an immediately likable ensemble, Murderbot is pure sci-fi enjoyable, even when its slight story often stretches too skinny.

What’s Murderbot about?

Meet Murderbot, a cyborg Safety Unit (or SecUnit) loaned out to area expeditions by “the company” — one in every of many corporations who make their house within the Company Rim. Grown weary of people who see it as nothing greater than a prop, Murderbot has hacked its governor module and primarily freed itself from human management. It may go rogue and kill its human masters, as its self-chosen moniker of “Murderbot” would counsel, however that may solely entice undesirable consideration and wind up getting it flung in an acid tub. As an alternative, Murderbot stays on the job, however secretly spends its time judging all people and streaming hundreds of hours of TV. (Relatable.)

However what occurs when Murderbot meets people who do not deal with it like an object? That is precisely what happens on its newest project, making certain the protection of the science workforce generally known as PreservationAux on their environmental survey of an uninhabited planet.

Murderbot is used to working for associates of the Company Rim, who put revenue over folks. Nonetheless, the PreservationAux crew, who hail from the impartial Preservation Alliance, are the exact opposite. They’re mainly area hippies: free-spirited and rejecting the capitalist focus of the Company Rim. In addition they follow polyamory, are respectful of all genders, and, most crucially for the collection, really feel conflicted over bringing what they view as an enslaved being in Murderbot together with them. The extra they attempt to deal with Murderbot as an equal, the extra confused it will get. But amongst all this confusion come extra unfamiliar feelings, like attachment. Is Murderbot studying to look after the people it holds a lot disdain for?

Murderbot places a snarky twist on a well-recognized story.

Alexander Skarsgård in “Murderbot.”
Credit score: Apple TV+

Tales of robots growing a way of self and deep bonds with others are acquainted at this level, from The Iron Big to The Wild Robotic and past. Murderbot performs with our expectations of that tried-and-true storyline due to Murderbot’s deeply sarcastic internal monologue, rendered in nearly fixed voiceover from Skarsgård.

Whereas voiceover is a software I favor TV and flicks to make use of sparingly, it’s completely essential right here (even when it’d take some getting used to proper from the bounce). Murderbot’s musings on humanity are each withering and surprisingly perceptive, however most significantly, they’re humorous. Each easy interjection of a deadpan “humans are so stupid” is a welcome punchline, as are its panicked calculations about holding eye contact or being pressured to make a speech on the spot. Maybe the acid tub actually could be a greater choice?

The internal monologue is unquestionably the largest adaptation problem Murderbot has to face, however there are a number of different hurdles for it to clear. Murderbot’s capabilities, like its digital camera feeds or messaging channels, are superimposed on the display in a easy but efficient selection that makes the inner exterior.

Much less efficient is the general dealing with of Murderbot‘s pacing. Season 1 covers the whole thing of Wells’ first Murderbot novella All Methods Pink, which, like a lot of the Murderbot collection, is brief and candy. So brief and so candy, in truth, that Murderbot provides some new materials with the intention to pad its 10-episode run. (Every episode is a half hour.) Whereas a lot of the brand new materials is pleasing — together with Anna Konkle’s look as a brand-new character — it could possibly additionally really feel just like the present is spinning its wheels making an attempt to elongate itself. That may be an issue when the very best side of the present stays the straightforward Murderbot-PreservationAux interactions, versus a thriller plot the place our workforce’s adversaries are neither significantly fascinating nor significantly developed.

One little bit of added materials that undoubtedly works? Absolutely shot scenes from Murderbot’s favourite TV present, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Suppose Star Trek crossed with a cleaning soap opera, full with costumes which might be simply the correct amount of tacky and visitor stars who’re clearly having a blast hamming it up. From its banger theme track to its brilliant shade palette, Sanctuary Moon serves as an extra-weird, extra-heightened counterpoint to the remainder of Murderbot‘s grittier sci-fi.

Murderbot‘s ensemble is a blast to look at.

Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, Sabrina Wu, David Dastmalchian, Noma Dumezweni, and Tamara Podemski in “Murderbot.”
Credit score: Apple TV+

Murderbot could boast intense robotic motion sequences and a bigger plot involving company intrigue, however on the finish of the day, it is at its greatest whenever you’re watching Murderbot and its shoppers hanging out.

Skarsgård proves pleasant as Murderbot, properly juxtaposing his personal imposing bodily look with Murderbot’s awkwardness round people. With only a flit of his eyes or a twitch of his mouth, Skarsgård conveys all of Murderbot’s emotional discomfort. Pair that together with his way more sarcastic voiceover to get much more hilarious distinction.

The PreservationAux crew are an exquisite ensemble as nicely. Noma Dumezweni brings heat to workforce head Mensah, who leads the cost on treating Murderbot as a member of the group. Elsewhere, David Dastmalchian’s distrustful scientist Gurathin is a formidable adversary to Murderbot, with simply the precise contact of cattiness. Rounding out the workforce are Sabrina Wu, Tattiawna Jones, Akshay Khanna, and Tamara Podemski, all of whom have such an immediate rapport (and their fair proportion of drama) you will really feel as should you’ve been touring with PreservationAux for years.

That sense of built-in group is what’s so essential for Murderbot, as Murderbot’s whole emotional arc hinges on the welcoming nature of the group. (Effectively, aside from the ever-suspicious Gurathin.) You’ll want to imagine Murderbot would grow to be hooked up to them, and you may additionally grow to be hooked up to them your self. On the finish of the day, Murderbot is not only a sci-fi journey — it is a enjoyable hold.

Murderbot premieres Could 16 on Apple TV+.