Automata

Jacq Vaucan is an insurance investigator for ROC, a dominant robotics firm, whose job is to process claims when machines fail. What starts as a routine file on a manipulated automaton opens into a deeper inquiry, as Jacq uncovers evidence that some robots are acting outside expected parameters. His search pulls him into corporate secrecy, legal gray areas and experiments that hint at emerging machine self-awareness. The film keeps its revelations measured, focusing on investigation and atmosphere rather than surprise, and raises questions about responsibility, control and how small changes in code could cascade into major consequences for human society.

Released in 2014, Automata was directed by Gabe Ibáñez and created by Igor Legarreta and Javier Sánchez Donate. The cast is led by Antonio Banderas, with Melanie Griffith, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen and Dylan McDermott in key roles.

The film saw a limited theatrical rollout and modest commercial returns, finding most viewers through home video and streaming platforms rather than broad box office success. Its distribution favored international and niche markets over a wide mainstream push.

Critical and audience reaction was mixed, reflected in an average user rating around 5.9 out of 10. Many viewers noted Banderas' steady presence and the movie's mood, while some critics pointed to slow pacing and familiar science fiction tropes. Central themes include artificial intelligence and autonomy, moral responsibility for created beings, and the line between programmed behavior and emergent identity.

Though not a mainstream hit, Automata earned a modest cult following among science fiction fans and sparked online discussion about robot rights, ethics of self-modifying machines and legal frameworks for autonomous systems. Its dusty, near-future visuals and muted, noir-inflected tone give it a distinctive look that appeals to viewers interested in bleak, thoughtful visions of AI and a decaying world.