Better Than Us

AI robot navigates family drama in near-future Russia

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About Better Than Us

Released: 2019

Platform: Netflix

Rating: TV-MA

Run time: 1 Season

Cast
Paulina Andreeva, Kirill Käro, Aleksandr Ustyugov, Olga Lomonosova, Eldar Kalimulin, Vitaliya Kornienko, Vera Panfilova, Aleksandr Kuznetsov, Fyodor Lavrov, Sergey Sosnovskiy, Kirill Polukhin, Pavel Vorozhtsov

About Better Than Us

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About

Better Than Us is a Russian sci-fi crime TV drama series that first premiered in 2018. The show is set in a not-so-distant future where human-like robots called "androids" are a common part of everyday life. The series explores both the advancements in technology and the ethical implications of such robotic creations.

The story revolves around a dysfunctional family, as the father, Georgy Safronov, who works as an engineer at a robotics company, buys an advanced android named Arisa to help take care of his children. However, complications arise when Arisa becomes involved in a murder investigation, creating a rift within the family and attracting attention from both the police and an underground organization.

As the series unfolds, viewers are taken on a thrilling journey that examines themes such as artificial intelligence, human emotions, and the blurred lines between man and machine.

Making / Production

Better Than Us was created by Andrey Junkovsky and Alexander Kessel and is the first Russian TV show with a large budget to be distributed internationally by Netflix. The series was filmed in Moscow and stands out for its high production value and impressive visual effects. The show utilizes a combination of practical effects and CGI to bring the futuristic world to life.

The production team faced several challenges while creating the android characters, including designing their appearance, movement, and overall believability. The result is a visually stunning depiction of the androids that adds to the realism of the show.

Actors

  • Kirill Karo - Georgy Safronov: The father of the family and an engineer who brings Arisa into their lives.
  • Paulina Andreeva - Arisa: The advanced android who becomes entangled in a murder investigation.
  • Aleksey Serebryakov - Viktor Toropov: Head of the robotics company and creator of the androids.
  • Vera Panfilova - Sonya Safronova: Georgy's daughter who develops a close bond with Arisa.
  • Eldar Kalimulin - Egor Safronov: Georgy's son who initially resents Arisa's presence.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • Better Than Us is loosely inspired by the Isaac Asimov novel I, Robot.
  • The show addresses thought-provoking themes like AI ethics and the impact of technological advancements on society.
  • One of the main challenges during production was creating realistic-looking androids without resorting to excessive CGI.

Awards

No awards have been recorded for Better Than Us at the time of writing.

Quotes

  • "Are you a robot or a human being? Because I honestly can't tell." - Georgy Safronov
  • "We're all responsible for our own choices, even if we are programmed." - Arisa

Music

The series features a captivating original score composed by Ivan Burlyaev. The music enhances the tension and emotion of the story and helps create an immersive viewing experience.

Soundtrack

  • "Better Than Us Theme" - Ivan Burlyaev
  • "Machine Dystopia" - Ivan Burlyaev
  • "Emotional Circuitry" - Ivan Burlyaev