Robot Dreams

Story

Dog lives in a New York apartment. Although he’s constantly surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life, he’s very lonely and desperately wants a true friend. One night, he orders an android companion from an infomercial, and they soon become constant companions.

Robot and Dog find countless things to do together while enjoying what the city has to offer. They find contentment in each other’s company as well as in the simple things of life. When a trip to an amusement park by the seashore goes wrong, Robot finds himself immobilised on the beach and Dog can’t move him. Dog goes to get supplies.

When Dog returns, the park is locked, and the beach is blocked off. He tries to get through many barricades and fences, but each time he’s thwarted by a guard and can’t retrieve his friend. His tireless efforts come to nothing, and he’s eventually arrested. Defeated, Dog marks his calendar with the date the place will open again and tries to go on with his life as best he can.

Meanwhile, Robot waits motionless on the sand, dreaming of ways he can return to Dog. Robot has a touching encounter with a family of birds and terrible experiences with others who want to mutilate him or sell him for scrap.

When beach season finally opens again, Dog arrives in the hopes of finding Robot, but Robot is already gone. Sometime later, a chance encounter gives them the chance for a reunion, but will the cost of the reunion be worth it?

Themes

Bullying; loneliness; fear; loss; sacrifice; being left behind

Violence

Robot Dreams has some violence. For example:

Robot accidentally holds Dog’s hand too hard and hurts him.
Some rabbits chop off Robot’s leg with a paddle. They break off one of his toes, use it to plug a hole in their boat, and then toss the rest of the leg aside before rowing back out to sea.
Dog gets pushed down a steep mountain slope and nearly collides into other skiers, while the ones who pushed him continue to bump into his sled. He pushes back and they giggle evilly before sending him off course where he crashes into the woods, smashes into a log and flies into a tree. Dog has a broken arm and an injured head.
Robot imagines himself nearly being crushed by a falling building.
A snowman removes his head and bowls with it.
A bird pecks at Robot’s foot.
A fish is dying and gasping for air after being caught.
A boxing match is shown with two animals fighting.
An alligator grabs Robot by the legs and drags him down some steps. Robot repeatedly knocks his head and looks very scared. His body is broken apart and left in the scrap yard.

Sexual references

There are no sexual references in Robot Dreams.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Robot Dreams shows some use of substances. For example:

A gorilla smokes a cigarette and flicks the butt at Robot’s head.
An alligator smokes a cigar.

Nudity and sexual activity

There’s some nudity and sexual activity in Robot Dreams. For example, animals are shown in bikinis at the beach.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in Robot Dreams:

A short clip of The Wizard of Oz is shown.
Stephen King’s book, Pet Cemetery, is displayed.
Characters constantly eat Cheetos.
Dog often drinks TAB soft drinks.
Characters use Heinz tomato ketchup.

Coarse language

There’s a rude gesture in Robot Dreams. This is when a character puts his middle finger up at Robot, and Robot returns the gesture.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Robot Dreams is a no-dialogue animation about friendship and painful transitions. Directed by Pablo Berger and based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon, the story will make you think and feel and question. Although it’s probably intended for children, the movie has powerful messages and insights for everyone and is suitable for all but very young viewers.

These are the main messages from Robot Dreams:

Sometimes you can be lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people and things.
Good friends can transform your life and are never forgotten.
The most powerful act of love might be the ability to let go.

Values in Robot Dreams that you could reinforce with your children include friendship, loyalty, kindness, compassion and empathy.

Robot Dreams could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the importance of friendship, a sense of community, and inclusion for lonely people who might need a friend.