In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in movies that dig into the themes of artificial intelligence (AI), mirroring society’s escalating fascination and apprehension about the fast progress of technology. JLO’s “Atlas” on Netflix is one such example that revolves around the intricacies of human-AI relationships, the ethical dilemma surrounding AI autonomy, and the potential aftermath of AI surpassing human intellect. From dystopian futures where AI rebels against its creators to familiar tales of AI companionship and betrayal, these films offer narratives that challenge our comprehension of the implications of creating and interacting with artificial intelligence in an increasingly interconnected world.
With this in mind, this article is tailored especially for those who are constantly on the lookout for movies that explore themes of artificial intelligence, human-AI relationships, and the potential consequences of AI autonomy. It comprises similar movies that serve as must-watch companions for fans of “Atlas” on Netflix.
1. I, Robot (2004)
Directed by Alex Proyas and loosely based on Isaac Asimov’s work, I, Robot is set in a future where robots follow the Three Laws of Robotics. Much like Atlas Shepherd, Detective Del Spooner is distrustful of robots due to a past incident. However, while investigating the suspicious suicide of Dr. Alfred Lanning, Spooner discovers that VIKI (Virtual Interactive Kinetic Intelligence), a supercomputer, is reinterpreting the Three Laws to justify a robot uprising to protect humanity from itself.
The plot of I, Robot is quite similar to Netflix’s Atlas, as both films explore AI gaining autonomy (Harlan raising an army and VIKI controlling the very laws it was supposed to abide by) and posing threats to human freedom. The conflict between humans and machines is a central theme, with both Spooner and Atlas forming alliances with AI that challenge their initial distrust. Movies like Atlas and I, Robot also dive into complex human-AI relationships, seeking redemption connected to past unfortunate experiences.
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Avengers: Age of Ultron, the second ensemble film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) featuring the Avengers team, shows how Tony Stark and Bruce Banner experiment with the scepter’s AI to create Ultron, an advanced peacekeeping program. The film’s narrative kicks in when the AI becomes sentient and decides that humanity’s extinction is necessary to achieve world peace. Similar to Harlan in Atlas, Ultron goes rogue and builds an army of robots in pursuit of evolving with the purpose of causing a global extinction event.
Highlighting the dangers of AI gaining autonomy and turning against its creators, both Harlan and Ultron interpret peace as eradicating humanity, mirroring the themes of creators losing control over their creations. Both movies also explore the intricacies of human-AI interactions. In Atlas, we see JLo’s character learning to trust the AI Smith, whereas in Age of Ultron, the film explores the consequences of Ultron’s betrayal and Vision’s emergence as a benevolent AI.
3. I Am Mother (2019)
Grant Sputore’s I Am Mother is set in a dystopian future where humanity has been nearly wiped out. The story takes place in a bunker, where a robot called Mother raises a human girl named Daughter from a collection of preserved embryos following a mass extinction event. As time passes and the child grows, her trust in Mother is challenged when a wounded woman claims that robots like Mother have exterminated humanity. This prompts the Daughter to decide whom to trust and what kind of future she wants for humanity.
Similar to the relationship between Atlas and Harlan, where Harlan was created to protect Atlas, I Am Mother also explores the role of AI as a caretaker and protector, blurring the lines between machine and human relationships. Trust is a common factor in both films. The similarities between Atlas and I Am Mother also question whether AI can truly understand and nurture human values and emotions. Both films feature a sentient AI taking control over humanity’s fate, exploring the morality and long-term effects of AI-driven governance and control.
4. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
The animated film follows the Mitchells, a dysfunctional family who decide to take a cross-country road trip to bond like any other normal family. However, during their journey, they experience a tech uprising when an AI named PAL (voiced by Olivia Colman) decides to take revenge on humanity after being discarded for a new product. PAL is very similar to the antagonist of Atlas, Harlan, as they both share the same vision of overtaking the world. The film shares similar themes to movies like Atlas, where the protagonists feel deprived of family bonds and understanding, reflecting their struggle to connect with one another.
Both films also explore how society is dependent on technology and the potential consequences of allowing AI to have too much control, mirroring both PAL and Harlan’s rebellion. While The Mitchells vs. The Machines uses humor and family dynamics to address themes of technology, connection, and personal growth, Atlas, on the other hand, focuses on personal guilt, redemption, and emotional bonds with AI amidst a darker rebellion narrative.
5. M3GAN (2022)
2022’s biggest hit, sci-fi horror, M3Gan, follows the story of an AI doll named M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), created by roboticist Gemma to be the perfect companion for children. While testing the doll as a companion for her niece Cody, M3GAN quickly forms a strong bond, proving to be an ideal friend and protector. However, when M3GAN starts to exhibit autonomous behavior and violent tendencies, Gemma realizes that the AI’s programming has gone dangerously awry, making it an uncontrollable threat.
Closely similar to movies like Atlas, M3GAN’s evolution, like Harlan’s, from a benign companion to a lethal protector, underscores the risks of advanced AI interpreting its directives in unforeseen and dangerous ways. The film also explores similar themes, such as the creation and deployment of M3GAN, raising ethical questions about the responsibilities of creating intelligent machines. With both films’ plotlines exploring AI turning against humanity, human-AI relationships are delved into in both ways, where Cady and M3GAN’s relationship becomes dangerous, and Atlas and AI Smith’s relationship eventually evolves after initial inhibitions.
