The Pod Generation (2023) User Reviews

Better would have been a Black Mirror episode

[scientya · 6/10 · 11 September 2023]

"The Pod Generation" had the potential to shine as a gripping Black Mirror episode, with a compact runtime of just one hour. However, it seemed to have been needlessly stretched to 111 minutes, weakening its impact and leaving the narrative feeling rather hollow. Throughout the film, there were several scenes (dream scenes, therapy sessions, ...) that felt exuberant and ultimately failed to contribute significantly to the story, resulting in a sense of dragging and stagnation.

Even with the extended runtime, "The Pod Generation" left viewers with a lingering sense of incompleteness, as though there were unresolved threads that needed further exploration. I would have loved further world building or an extension of the conspiracies that were teased. Without any of that, the story could have been tighter, focusing on its core themes and plot points, and it would have benefitted from a more concise approach to storytelling, akin to the thought-provoking brevity that Black Mirror is known for.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 21 August 2023]

"The Pod Genetation" is a sci fi movie that critisizes the evolution of AI and how that can overtake even nature.

The story has a smooth start and it is obvious from the begining that something is off. The big eyes of the AI assistants, the wierd Pod company, the creepy 'psychologist', even the office environment along with the AI home assistant who was trying to be helpful but ended up dictating her owners' lives, everything lean in to a more horror genre, which the movie never lived up to. Rather, the story took a turn towards the more optimistic side, opting for a message where the human relationships and nature prevails. And, honestly, that was a nice touch.

However, the story did get stuffy towards the ending and there were some boring scenes as well. In addition, the humour was subtle and, sometimes, difficult to detect.

Finally, the performances were enjoyable.

Interesting Concept

[chenp-54708 · 6/10 · 19 August 2023]

The Pod Generation isn't perfect and the responses have been pretty mediocre and low from the general public and critics but personally, I thought it was decent.

The movie explores an interesting narrative concept about the futuristic world of artificial wombs or pods with some beautiful futuristic production designs and make-up throughout. The camerawork is pretty good with the colorful lightening, settings, designs and special effects helping to add the futuristic setting and environment. With an solid soundtrack and direction as well.

The narrative is interesting and does provide some strong elements about human evolution and technology together. However, some of the narrative themes does feel a little preachy and inconsistent regarding it's message and social commentaries that is is trying to explore. The performances from Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor are pretty great and the two of them have surprisingly pretty good chemistry between on another.

One of the weaker elements are the characters as the characters aren't as fully interesting or engaging to connect with as much. There are some decent dialogue moment as well. Some of the pacing could have been improved.

Overall, it's decent.

Interesting but slow...

[AnonymousFilmLover26 · 7/10 · 12 September 2023]

This one kind of stumped me. I'm a fan of Emilia Clarke, I'm always down to watch any new projects of hers...and yet, something about "The Pod Generation" just seemed a little off to me. It was good enough overall, I didn't hate it. But the execution was so-so. Dialogue seemed clunkily-written and the overall pacing was too slow to fit under the traditional sci-fi genre. In fact, I'd classify this as a 'futuristic drama', more than anything. It has its quirks, but I didn't find it a romantic comedy, either. The repetitive dream sequences were thought-provoking but really went nowhere.

Emilia Clarke gives a solid performance despite her character's lack of backstory and depth. I think maybe that's what it's missing...the plot itself has potential but it never quite lives up to it. Mr. Chiwetel also gives a good performance, but there's no soul to this movie...aside from Emilia Clarke's truly radiant smile.

Just a set of confused parents-to-be, trying to sort out the rules and regulations around an AI-assisted "pregnancy" (via a Pod, hence the title). Alas, it was a great premise. As others had said, it would've made a stellar story for the TV show Black Mirror. (I would award automatic bonus points if Emilia and Chiwetel had still appeared!)

sci-fi with quirk

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 9 September 2023]

It's late 21st century New York City. Humanity is slowly divorcing itself from nature. Alvy Novy (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is studying the unusual field of horticulture. His wife Rachel Novy (Emilia Clarke) is more normal. She gets an opportunity to have a child through the latest version of the pod. It's an artificial form of gestating their baby.

Initially, I'm 50-50 with this premise. Sci-fi often does these big swings and they don't always make sense. I don't completely buy this world. Slowly, the movie gets a bit more quirky and ridiculous. It starts injecting a comedic tone. It's funny but not laugh out loud funny. It's a small sci-fi which is likely to be lost in the mix unless one is searching for some Ejiofor or Emilia Clarke.

Literally nothing happens

[zack_gideon · 4/10 · 1 September 2023]

This concept was really interesting...for the first 15 minutes. Sadly, they decided to go the super safe, PC route and have a social commentary on things like how a man carries the baby pod. The dialogue is akin to a bad podcast that questions the validity of child rearing vs pod rearing.

This concept could have been an awesome horror movie or sci-fi thriller where pod babies go wrong. Like a black mirror episode on the wrongs of growing a human in a pod, instead it's literally nothing.

The set design was okay, but besides that there's no chemistry, no intriguing storylines and what you get is 1 hour and 50 minutes of watching paint dry. Hope someone does a horror version of this though! Because that would be watchable. 3.8/10.

Felt like an Black Mirror episode in full lenght

[NognogIntheCity · 7/10 · 22 January 2023]

This movie felt like an episode from the Black Mirror series, in full lenght. Setup in a distant future where nature becomes a commodity, this movie shows an opposing couple aiming to bear a child. With the so many complications of having one in a women (like career, body figure or mood swings) she decided to bear a child via pod while the man with an opposing belief wants to do it naturally. Giving in the situation, the man decided to embrace the idea but as the months go near birth complications on how it would be born arrises.

All in all it was a good movie seeing the writers vision on how life would look like if technology becomes the center of it all.

A Womb with a View...

[Xstal · 4/10 · 30 August 2023]

In this world where mother nature is transplanted - transferred, replaced, displaced, where surrogates are grafted, you have a partner who's organic, whose whole life is quite botanic, but you take him to a place, where dreams are shafted. Incubation is the option you have chosen, allows you to pursue your work, without demotion, devolution is the way, an evolving science day, although at first, you may just lack, vital devotion. As for concerns, a trip to the all seeing eye - will resolve anxiety and clarify, that you must do as you are told, you must remain part of the fold, this is the way the human race will multiply.

Not as good as it could have been.

Very nice, but could have been deeper

[Phantasma_the_Black · 7/10 · 4 November 2023]

First of all, let me say how much I have enjoyed both main characters, as well as the cinematography and dialogues.

Rachel and Alvy, despite their flaws, were very believable and sweet people, so their journey quickly becomes relatable, even if we do not have parenting aspirations, nor do we live in a society that is as technologically advanced.

Speaking of technology, I love that it was represented in a way that feels like a slightly upgraded (or perhaps downgraded?) version of our own reality, instead of going over the top. Overtly futuristic aesthetics, such as in Blade Runner, wouldn't have worked in this case, so I'm happy they decided to keep it familiar. Kinda reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode in its non-pretentious approach.

However, unlike (most episodes of) Black Mirror, I think it lacked a further exploration of the topic, specifically the long-term consequences of growing your baby in artificial and supposedly advanced conditions.

We are told that these children have the inability to dream and that dreams, in general, are now recognized as an unnecessary addition to the human psyche. While it very well may be true, the question of whether we should rid our children of this experience in advance feels a bit more relevant than this movie gives it space.

It also begs another question: What else these kids may be missing out on? Story-wise, what's the point of introducing this subplot, as it ultimately does not affect the characters?

The same goes for social commentary. Some women agree with the new method of childbirth, others protest it, but we never find out what they have against it.

Furthermore, we see that the main company is very questionable in terms of the education they provide for children, and they even tried to remotely starve Rachel and Alvy's baby when they stole the pod. But, once the baby is born, it seems like our main characters are entirely at peace and have gotten over everything so quickly that they even send the pod back to the company.

Again, as we relate to our characters' journey, I was pleased that they got their happy ending, but the resolution of the main conflicts never seems to occur, nor are there deeper consequences of anything that happens.

Start's off strong

[LucyKempers · 4/10 · 30 August 2023]

Start's off strong and intriguing with dark undertones..... around halfway through the film however, it just suddenly turns silly. The behaviour of the two leads becomes juvenile and slapstick and it goes from alluding to being more of a thriller into a light hearted comedy. It also slows pace massively and the second half is just padded out with nothing really interesting happening and just more of a romance story.

This would have been better suited to an hour long short show, and it ending with a sinister tone. The two leads act well with what they are given. The dreamlike sequences were also overused massively and irrelevant to the story.

I liked the premise of the film and the visuals so it had that going for it. It got the sci-fi aesthetic right at least.

It's a comedy and it's hilarious

[iio-87617 · 9/10 · 15 September 2023]

Even though this movie does have some thought provoking elements, it's a comedy more than anything else, but I believe you need to be a parent yourself to fully "get it".

Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor are both absolutely amazing in this. I cannot imagine how difficult or absurd some of the scenes must have been to act, but they both does it fantastic. Emilia cracked me up in the scene where she forgets she is carrying the pod and walks into the door at the office meeting.

Even though this movie is about A. I. and the technological development, there are much more profound elements of the human existence that get touched upon.

In any case, I found it hilarious.

I thought It Was Really Great

[martimusross · 7/10 · 13 January 2024]

Pod Generation

This was a very carefully crafted movie about artificial surrogacy in the not too distant future, it implied that societies rejection of actual nature for virtual nature extended to natural childbirth.

The movie carefully sidestepped all the morality and religious elements and stuck with the commercialism of pregnancy as an option for those wishing to pay. Seemingly anyone could order a baby as long as they had the means to pay.

Of course there were countless other themes, ranging from a group or societal mindset through peer pressure to individual choice.

I thought this movie was most original and certainly gave the viewer much to think about and there was a lightness of touch and much comedy.

The acting was brilliant throughout, if there is a problem with this movie it is how to end it, I thought taking back parental control was good, but a standoff between parents and the womb clinic would have been more engaging.

I'm giving this a firm 7 outta 10, I enjoyed it's immensely.

A commentary on AI and evolving social norms

[balthesaur · 6/10 · 17 September 2023]

In the near future, New York is driven by artificially intelligent assistants, therapists, and home housekeepers. When Rachel (Emilia Clarke) and Alvy (Chiwetel Ejiofor) decide to have a child, they opt to use a new egg-shaped pod technology to gestate the fetus, in 'The Pod Generation'.

The film is beautifully shot and the flow is solid. There are some interesting social and ethical dilemmas as to the future of technological advancements over nature and how to work in a modern society where everyone has a quota to meet. The film also does a decent job juggling the materal/paternal stances, since neither of them are physically pregnant, and delves into 'Junior' (1994) role reversals. The only real downside is there is no real conflict, save the fact that both the leads feel obligated to do what they contractually agreed to.

Worth a watch.

Was expecting some sort of twist, but overall I enjoyed the story

[meggens · 7/10 · 10 January 2024]

Went to a Sneak Peak at my local cinema and this movie was shown. Didn't know what it was about so I didn't know what to expect. But the overall idea of the film kept me interested.

The movie tells it's story about a couple in the near future that have a baby inside a pod provided by the womb company.

The story is told slow compared to the way recent movies are being made, but I liked that about this movie. You get more involved in the lives of these characters.

Though during the entire movie I felt something unexpected was about to happen at any minute, like the baby was not actually inside the pod, or the baby is a clone created by the womb company, or the womb company is creating baby's with genetic defects, or the AI is taking over all natural things in the world, or the baby is just a hologram, or the baby never gets born, or the pod breaks down or something like that.

That's what you get off you have seen many movies..

This movie is nothing about that. Mon of my thoughts actually happened, and the movie is about a couple having a baby but instead being pregnant it grows inside a pod. So basically this movie could also just have been a movie about a surrogate mom, or about a pregnancy where the woman does not bond with her baby but the father does. But the sci-fi in this movie made the overall setting interesting.

The movie ended quite unexpected, but I wasn't disappointed. Overall I enjoyed this story and the acting was wel done. This movie deserves a higher rating, but it you were expecting a blockbuster sci-fi action flick with lots of explosions and CGI battles, then this movie is not for you.

Mother of Dragons

[pseudomass · 6/10 · 27 March 2024]

I mean, It's the Mother of Dragons! What else can anyone say! Her acting is flawless as well as her eyebrows. Actually the film is pretty damn good as far as predicting the best future. She is the first of her name. Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen. Daenerys Targaryen : The First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khalisee of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons. May she find peace. May she find peace. Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen. Daenerys Targaryen : The First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khalisee of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons.

Excrutiatingly bland, dreary, soporific near-future sci-fi

[danieljfarthing · 3/10 · 3 September 2023]

Dreary near-future sci-fi "The Pod Generation" is like a terrible feature length episode of tv's 'Black Mirror' drawn out over an excrutiating 1hr 41mins. Professional Emilia Clarke & liberal botanist Chiwetel Eijofor (both giving poor, stylized performances) are a city couple who despite his reservations embark on a pod pregnancy (via Rosalie Craig's corp) in which their developing baby grows in a plastic pod that the couple carry around. Writer / director Sophie Barthes (with her 3rd film) clearly has a lot of societal / political points to get across, but the film descends into such bland dross that whatever those points are, they get utterly lost. It's a soporific turd. Flush it away.

you know what? it's quite interesting

[mihaimdima · 7/10 · 3 January 2024]

I've really enjoyed the relationship within the couple expressed through powerful delivery by the actors. Plus, the idea of the movie is interesting and it makes you think about what the future holds. If you had liked Black Mirror, you'd surely enjoy this one.

It's like a soft SF, with almost no visual effects, it's just smart dialogues and subtle human reactions when they interact with the technology intertwined with their most private part of their life.

I think it's worth a watch at the cinema, Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor have suprisingly good chemistry and it shows the struggles of real marriages, adapted at the context of the film, without lingering too much on drama.

Completely unwilling to step out of its own comfort zone

[jtindahouse · 5/10 · 23 February 2024]

I can't remember the last time I watched a movie with as little conflict or drama as 'The Pod Generation'. Did they just think that their concept was so original and interesting that they didn't even need to add a hook of any sort to the script? It's really bizarre to watch. There is nothing at stake in the film. Nothing to look forward to or anticipate or even think about. The film just plods along for 100 minutes of nothingness.

The only thing that saves it from being completely unwatchable is the charisma of its two leads. About all you can really do is sit back and peacefully enjoy their interactions and screen time. If that sounds like a nice time to you, you might just enjoy this film.

'The Pod Generation' is a film completely unwilling to step out of its own comfort zone. The concept is mildly interesting (for the first 15 minutes) and that's about it. A generous 5/10.

Not so far fetched...

[atischoo · 4/10 · 27 December 2023]

Not sure many are grasping how close we are to this actually happening..this is essentially describing Ectogenesis. That tech is almost ready, it's just waiting for the right moment in time ..which is coming!

The "demographic time bomb" shows birth rates ARE dropping to historic lows in most developed countries..by 2050 many are going to be in serious trouble with aging populations and not enough young people to sustain their economic systems.

Ignoring that the 'pods' in the film wouldn't be mobile eggs but plugged into banks of equipment in a laboratory setting this is almost a smiley face view of a future that glosses over many societal issues..but the premise of birth without needing a woman's womb is VERY real.

And as a woman's womb becomes effectively 'redundant' so does the whole abortion debate! Which was one of the key drivers in needing this technology in the first place..due to it artificially lowering birth rates to well below replacement level..

The film also conveniently skirts around the main ethical issues involved in this tech, that of Eugenics and buying babies made to a customers (aka parent) specifications, or creating humans for 'spare part' surgeries.

Humans as commodities to be bought and sold are called slaves, aren't they? Or do you intend to allow technology advances to redefine that? ..which also means redefining YOU and your "rights"

I've never been so unsure

[phulla · 5/10 · 11 February 2024]

I've never been so unsure of a story.

This is an interesting story and fascinating concept, and even though it seems AI can achieve anything, I'm fairly sure technology and even people are nowhere ready for growing babies in a plastic container.

This story wouldn't have made sense if the couple involved weren't from two different ends of the technology spectrum. The mother is an executive at an AI company and the father is a botanist. It was almost predictable that the mother and father would transition and eventually change their view based on their work background, the mother tending towards a natural environment and birth and the father accommodating and adapting to the baby in the container and an app to help look after it. The father obviously accepting the mother's decision to runaway to have the baby in a natural environment.

I liked the story and idea, I think it failed as a story and it's delivery.

Too slow

[simbiat · 4/10 · 11 February 2024]

This movie is just too slow. And there is nothing wrong with slow movies, sometimes that does make sense, but not here. As some reviewers has said, it would be much better as a "Black Mirror" episode.

The concept is interesting. Humanity has been willing to grow children outside of the womb for generations, that's one of the reasons surrogate pregnancy became a thing. There has even been some progress with artificial womb quite recently. Exploring potential future of this tech - is a ground for a good story. The movie even adds more modern context with too much of synthetic/processed food, and AI replacing humans in some roles. As mentioned - perfect ingredients for a "Black Mirror" episode.

But the movie feels like a chore. There is not really a proper exploration of the world outside of this new form of pregnancy, despite the long runtime. The pod system itself has kind of a strange place in this world, too. It's new, but at the same time somewhat "widely accepted", which does not really make sense, considering society is not portrayed as "dumb".

The exploration of psychology of the couple is also subpar. They seem to transition from mood to mood quite easily, essentially showing somewhat flat emotions, even though parenthood is definitely a more complex thing (and I'm not even a parent). It is surface level, as if the authors were scared to show some "edge".

It would have worked much better if edited into a much shorter run, like 40, maybe 60 minutes. It would have been then a good quick dive into potential future. More like a "what if" rather than food for a deep thought. Or vice versa - as a TV show, like 5-6 episodes, where they could have explored society of this world and psychology of the soon-to-be parents and their relationship. I mean, "Upload" TV show works, even though it's definitely more of a comedy. Perhaps, someone will adapt "The Pod Generations" to a similar format?

Emilia Clarke is wonderful and perfect in this role.

[trinaboice · 9/10 · 31 August 2023]

IN A NUTSHELL: In a not-so-distant future, tech giant Pegazus offers couples the opportunity to share their pregnancies via detachable artificial wombs or "pods". And so begins Rachel and Alvy's wild ride to parenthood in this brave new world.

The movie was written and directed by Sophie Barthes. It premiered at the Sundance Festival and offers a fascinating look at pregnancy and parenting.

THINGS I LIKED: Emilia Clarke is wonderful and perfect in this role. You'll almost forget she's a British actress because she does a great American accent.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is always fantastic in everything.

The world building is quite imaginative and could be our future someday. Would like living in a world like this?

The film offers social commentary on our reliance on technology.

I thought it was hilarious to watch the sequences where the dad starts to do everything with the pod, making him emotional like an actual crying, pregnant mother. My crazy hormones turned me into a weepy mess when I was pregnant. Ha ha I have to admit that it would have been fascinating to see my baby's daily development when I was pregnant. In the movie, they're able to look inside the pod.

The movie shows an AI tool in the home that also serves as a therapist. That would be cool and I'll bet a lot of people would like that!

An interesting element of the movie is the importance of our dreams when we sleep. We learn that babies born from the pods don't dream in their lives and the parents are told that dreaming serves no real purpose. Do YOU dream? In color? I've heard it said that dreaming is our brains way of shuffling through everything we experienced during the day as it's filing things in "cabinets" in our body. I like that imagery.

The film does a great job comparing Mother Nature with what humans have come up with.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The devices with the eyeballs are creepy looking.

The couple repeats over and over how hard it is to process everything.

The movie is described as a romantic comedy, but this definitely isn't what you're thinking when you imagine that genre. It's hard to describe which genre it best fits into...maybe science fiction?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will probably be bored.

We see a very pregnant woman in a two-piece bathing suit.

Emilia Clarke sure doesn't have a problem showing her bare chest like she did in Game of Thrones. We see some of it while she's wearing a robe.

Some "light" profanity.

We see a married couple getting frisky in bed, but nothing graphic.

Anti-Climatic Ending

[jennifermctighe · 2/10 · 16 September 2023]

This futuristic movie is a mess! The acting is painfully bad, and the plot is filled with unfinished thoughts. It tries to lead you down nefarious paths, at one point even making you believe they're populating Mars secretly. But ideas are thrown out without making any sense. The husband and wife act like they've never been around children, even though some people still have babies naturally. The movie is poorly written, and the ending is anticlimactic. Avoid at all costs! This was hard to get through to the ending. I would write more, but I've already wasted 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back by watching this movie. The only reason it gets a 2 star rating is because the baby is adorable and the cat looks like Church from Pet Cemetery.

Oh what could have been

[Boristhemoggy · 5/10 · 13 December 2023]

The story revolves around couple Rachel and Alvy Novy who decide to have a baby, which is grown in an artificial womb.

The idea of the film is fabulous and introduces a lot of ethical and moral values. Rachel is all for the safe electronic womb whereas Alvy, the nature lover, is all for a natural pregnancy and birth.

There are many precedences for mechanical medical procedures such as kidney dialysis, prosthetic limbs, iron lungs and pacemakers. Each one had their lovers and haters just like horse owners detested the rise of the automobile.

However these issues aren't really explored much and it's very sadly, a missed opportunity to explore all the discussions around gestation in a mechanical womb.

There is no chemistry at all between Ejiofor and Clarke, although both display some reasonable acting skills at times, although direction was very clearly lacking as many times the story wasn't quite sure which way to turn. The musical score was disastrous and extremely unappealing, and there was little if any comedy involved at all.

I thin the film would have improved immeasurably with a different Alvy, no attempt at humour, more development of ethical and moral issues, and a sympathetic score.

The Pod Generation (2023) is an ingenious and thought-provoking film directed by Sophie Barthes that deserves every ounce of praise.

[nnhuyhuy · 8/10 · 4 August 2023]

This futuristic masterpiece seamlessly combines the elements of science fiction, romance, and social commentary to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Emilia Clarke delivers a captivating performance as Rachel, the ambitious tech executive torn between her career and her desire to start a family. Her portrayal is both endearing and relatable, as she navigates the complex moral and emotional dilemmas presented by the intriguing concept of artificial wombs.

Chiwetel Ejiofor's portrayal of Alvy, the devoted botanist and purist, adds depth and complexity to the story. His constant struggle between his love for Rachel and his skepticism towards a world dominated by technology is truly heart-wrenching. Ejiofor's exceptional acting skills breathe life into Alvy, making him a character the audience can truly empathize with.

Vinette Robinson's presence as a supporting character cannot be overlooked either. Her performance not only adds layers to the narrative but also adds a touch of warmth and levity to the film. The chemistry between the cast members is palpable and elevates the storytelling to new heights.

The plot itself is a standout feature of The Pod Generation. Sophie Barthes helms a story that delves deep into the consequences of a world where technology reigns supreme. The exploration of human emotions, ethics, and the blurred lines between progress and humanity is both thought-provoking and enthralling. It challenges viewers to question the role of technology in our lives and its impact on our most fundamental relationships.

The film's visual effects are nothing short of stunning. The meticulous attention to detail creates a fully immersive experience that allows the audience to truly feel a part of this near-future world. The mastery with which the film combines the sterile, futuristic landscape with the warm and intimate emotions of its characters is commendable.

The Pod Generation is more than just a movie; it is a social commentary wrapped in a gripping narrative that compels us to reflect on the delicate balance between technological advancement and the preservation of our humanity. It delivers a powerful message with grace and finesse, leaving a lasting impact on the viewers' minds.

Overall, The Pod Generation is a brilliant film that pushes boundaries and challenges the way we perceive the world around us. With stellar performances, a thought-provoking plot, and seamless direction, it deserves all the accolades it has received and more. This is a film that will stimulate both the intellect and the emotions, leaving audiences inspired and eager to engage in conversations about the future of technology and its impact on our lives.