The Pod Generation (2023)

The Pod Generation (2023). 1h 41m | PG-13

“We live in a world surrounded by artificial intelligence. Our smartphones have virtual assistants. Many of us have Alexas or Google Hubs or HomePods in our houses, curating our playlists and telling us the weather and the news. Weu0026#39;re staring at a future that will potentially be defined by all of the things AI can do. What happens when we outsource the most human of all experiences, childbirth? Thatu0026#39;s the question at the heart of Sophie Barthesu0026#39; new film, The Pod Generation. A heartwarming dramedy about a couple who has a baby via an artificial pod, The Pod Generation feels like an episode of Black Mirror – just far less bleak. Itu0026#39;s funny, sweet, and like all good sci-fi, fundamentally human.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSometime in the future, a single tech conglomerate controls most aspects of society. They control the government, most places of employment, and even Birth Centers. This is a future where humanity has little need for nature. Instead, virtual assistants control almost all aspects of human life and the closest anyone gets to nature is the inside of a Nature Pod. Rachel (Emilia Clarke) is pretty content with this artificial life, but her husband, Alvy (Chiwetel Ejiofor), isnu0026#39;t. When Rachel decides she wants to have an artificial birth rather than a natural one, Alvy initially rejects the notion. But as their pregnancy progresses, Rachel and Alvy adjust to this new reality – in ways that are both expected and unexpected.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe Pod Generation is a bit of a strange film to approach. On the one hand. It feels like an episode of Black Mirror. A satire on all of the ways Big Tech has crept into our lives, all of the control weu0026#39;ve ceded to them. In fact, it doesnu0026#39;t feel that far-fetched to imagine a future just like this one. A future where some big tech company controls some kind of artificial birthing center. On the flip side, The Pod Generation eschews Black Mirroru0026#39;s approach to science fiction. This isnu0026#39;t a dark, cynical movie. Far from it. The Pod Generation is a surprisingly funny, heartwarming, and very human story. It wears its message on its sleeve, for sure. But itu0026#39;s not the kind of movie you walk away from feeling hopeless about society. Instead, it fills you with hope, which is such a lovely feeling.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEmelia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor largely carry this movie on their shoulders. One or both of them is in almost every scene, and without both actors giving their all, the movie simply wouldnu0026#39;t work. For starters, their relationship just feels so genuine. From the moment both of them appear on screen, you immediately believe theyu0026#39;re in this loving, supportive marriage. Thereu0026#39;s that palpable spark there between them, that hint of warmth, that shared history. As the movie progresses, and each of their characters goes on their own journeys together and apart, both actors shine so brightly that itu0026#39;s hard to look away. Ejiofor, especially, is excellent here. Heu0026#39;s absolutely hilarious, and the scenes he shares with the pod are a perfect blend of comedy and emotion that makes you smile every time heu0026#39;s on screen.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRead the full Review by Michael Cook at Geek Vibes Nation.”