Love, Death & Robots (TV Series) Swarm (2022) User Reviews

I want more!

[thefoochie · 8/10 · 20 May 2022]

Damn, I feel like this episode could've easily been 15 minutes longer, why did it have to end?

This is definitely the most creative, and thought provoking episode so far. The story was a bit confusing, but I still really enjoyed it. Basically, the main character wants to create a new race of the swarm so that it can help sustain humanity. In my opinion, I don't think what he wanted to do is wrong because even though he wanted to breed a slave race, the swarm wasn't sentient.

The swarm feels threatened by the main character's plan and captures him. In an ironic twist, instead of the doctor breeding a slave race to help humanity, he's forced to breed a race that will kill humanity. The poor guy is forced to do the exact opposite of his plan, and he doesn't even have a choice. If he kills himself, the swarm will just clone him anyway. This episodes' twist is the embodiment of the expression "how the tables have turned." I loved it, 8/10.

Wish it was a movie or series of its own

[mmartic-21937 · 8/10 · 24 May 2022]

The story has so much potential, I would like to watch it as a separate movie or even series.

Stunning visuals, interesting plot. People being able to fly in that alien environment makes it even more attractive to watch.

The only part that was redundant was the last sentence.

Actual science fiction, and genuinely alien aliens

[RogerBorg · 8/10 · 31 May 2022]

That's the stuff. A fledgling spacefaring human culture in a universe containing benign, and not so benign, mature races. Proper, actual science fiction, not robot honey badgers or intelligent dishtowels or whatever Scalzi is fever-dreaming up.

The premise and plot are solid, the characterisation is credible and the voicework is decent. Art and animation are fine, and the "impetuous humans" message isn't hammered home too harshly.

The swarm itself is fascinating, a hive of lotus eaters. I'd love to see this tale continued, which is high praise for a short story.

Please continue this story further

[renetumbrink · 22 May 2022]

Best one of the season. I loved the storytelling and the overall vibe to it, definitely would love to see that further told. What happens after, how do the swarm humans look like, how will they defend or even attack? The human race.

Great material.

Have a lot of potential

[ernaneflopes · 7/10 · 25 May 2022]

This is the kind of story leave inside us a void not because it's incomplete or not finished but mainly because there's a lot of branches inside of the same story that could be really interesting but stay in our imagination.

I think that easily this can be a great movie or series. The problem is that, It's not. There's a lot of lacks and holes in the story that make us kind of concerned about if we was unable to understand or there's not enough information to understand the whole thing.

Interesting

[Kingslaay · 7/10 · 27 May 2022]

Quite a passable and interesting episode from LDR. A new concept and excellent animations and quality to take you into this world and explore this concept. The messaging was also on point. Intelligence is not everything, it is not doing humanity any good to solve its problems. Overall not bad.

Truly imaginitive sci-fi.

[noxaman · 9/10 · 24 May 2022]

Color me impressed. High-concept sci-fi is not something I've come to expect from LDR, but this short delivered.

I absolutely love the 'immune system' angle this story takes, which I suppose can be attributed to Bruce Sterling, who wrote the source material. Tim Miller's direction was on point, and I think this sci-fi universe could be built into something much larger than a simple short for netflix.

Just not enough background

[MovieMattic · 6/10 · 25 May 2022]

They really tried to be creative with this one but I think it just fell flat for a short story like this. There needed to be much more background which means that this could have easily been a full-length film or a full-length 45 minute episode.

So many interesting creatures.

[Horror_Flick_Fanatic · 9/10 · 21 May 2022]

I loved the imaginative creativity of the underwater world this episode is in. It is a very beautiful animation. Honestly, Netflix did an extremely good job with all of Season 3. I hope they continue to add more seasons to this show. It is one of Netflix few good shows. If they cancel it, sell it to HBO so they can keep adding seasons.

How many red light do you have to ignore? Intelligence is not a survival trait for the driver...

[julianmarku · 6/10 · 29 May 2022]

This episode was unarguably one of the most interesting of this season but also one of the most silly considering the cause and effect.

I have no idea why people are giving it such high marks except maybe got the visuals which are genuinely impressive but so dark that you can hardly see anything.

The swarm alien species based on Zerg and the Flood. It's impressive how an alien species just can't evolve past an ant colony. Is that what we call Utopia? To live, to work and to die? Feels like an oversimplification of the society from writers who never had to work in it.

The two scientists if they can be called that is the equivalent of Alien guys sticking their heads in the eggs. A species that live as an ant colony is not suspicious? Them tagging you as you come in the nest is not suspicious? Assimilating 19 other species is not suspicious? Creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in space is not suspicious?

Lastly and let me just ask this: what is the point of enslaving this species to do your work? You have robots. You can make your own species. What would be the point in taking this huge nest of creatures and dragging it all around your in the Universe? I don't know! They can't survive without food or their queen.

It's really stupid. At this point you would be better of cloning other humans.

And the ending is just dumb: you want to beat this Swarm? Nukes and Robots. Done. Can't replicate robots and radiation from nukes will destroy their genetic code and be unable to reproduce.

Too short fetched to be told propperly

[Shadowboy_25cm · 5/10 · 30 May 2022]

Tim Miller takes a short story of famous Bruce Sterling and makes a very flawed take.

The animations are great, technically this episode is top. But this format of short movies has it's limits when it's about story telling vs running time.

This episode has a running time of app. 17 minutes and falls too short for the story. Perhaps a 45-60 minutes episode would have been better, like a 'Black Mirror' episode.

The beginning could have needed a little more exposition and the end is too rushed that this episode left me unsatisfied.

One of the better episodes of Season 3

[ShadowsBeneathTheLight · 8/10 · 21 May 2022]

This brought me back some Season 1 vibes. The animation style was great, both looking realistic but also the right use shadows contrasted with small pockets of light. There are a variety of alien creatures that actually look well done, each having a specific role in the Swarm, much like different classes of ants serve the hive. The plot, although a little cliche works for what it is. Humans are dying out (we get it Netflix, Climate Change is coming) and in the process of exploring space, discover the Swarm, a self-sustaining alien Colony, and naturally humans must have a Swarm of their own. But again, the plot manages to move forward with a decent twist at the end, selling the horrifying realization of what exactly the Swarm truly is.

A Big Space Bug With Bigger Aspirations

[holy_big_sandwich · 7/10 · 21 June 2022]

On the one hand we have a beautiful journey through a cosmic zero g termite hill. On the other hand we have a painfully heavy handed story that leaves one wanting.

The crux of "Swarm," is a thinly veiled metaphor for humanity's own vice of exploitation for profit. The knockoff zerg (who are knockoff tyranids) are a seemingly peaceful and harmonious multiracial hive, but as it turns out they perfected enslaving and lobotomizing their enemies for the last couple million years. This is where the subtleties of the story begin to float away, as it deftly veers into an anticlimax between a man and a lovecraftian speak and spell.

The production design is brilliant, each individual space bug having its own purpose in the hive, between tiny mites to giant leviathans. As the 17 minute short (on the longer side of LD+R) flies about, its easy to be in awe at the scale and rendering of this fantastic insectopia.

But as the story scuttles along, its quick to play its only trick. A turn any viewer can see from a mile away. Once the inevitable greed of mankind shows its predictable colors, we are treated to a philosophical joust with a giant brain, using the only other human in this story like a text-to-speech. Its here we discover the hive is enduring and never ending. A quick ideological back and forth between a young, brutal and greedy race and an ancient race that's made a mint off of consuming and assimilating the former.

As the credits roll, we're left with an unsatisfying conclusion. What essentially equates to two strong men puffing their chests as the curtains close. Whether or not humans stand a chance or if we're just cattle for the enslaving, is completely up to you to decide. But it's clear with a bigger budget and a longer deadline, the swarm could've been truly terrifying.

That's it?

[keonir · 4/10 · 22 May 2022]

First off the things I liked, the animation & designs were great & the voice acting was good. Pros aside this short didn't work for me. It felt to rushed especially with the montage in the middle & the story kinda felt like it didn't go anywhere I wasn't expecting & when it ended I thought "wait that's it?". I would liken this short to Tim Miller's first short Ice Age where I feel the same, it didn't go anywhere for me. I think Miller needs more practice with telling short stories because I did enjoy The Drowned Giant from season 2. I would honestly place this short last out of all of season 3.

Very interesting sci-fi story until somewhat silly ending

[sumtim3s00n · 22 May 2022]

Liked the ep quite a lot however what I disliked was the ending where the swarm intelligence cast decides to keep him alive to "converse with him" (because "humans are special"). This coming from a organism the is old x milenia. Humans are special, that is such an arogant generic cheesy hollywood platitude that is used way too often. But to use it in sci-fi genre is plain sad. A genre where it should be used the least since it usually explores how tiny part of universe we are.

Also because by that point of story it is presented as utilitarian,focused,perfectly structured organism concentrated on long term surivival and balance. For such an organism to have conversations with one individual makes no sense. It already has the knowledge of the female, if anything it wouldve taken his memories also. Talking is pointless, unfocused, slow transfer of info, plus it is biased. Swarm has no need for superflous nonsense, it would only need raw data and genetic materials. Not jibber jabbing over coffee.

This sudden personalization was cheesy and written 100% from human perspective not what the intelligent swarm cast would act like. That made the conclusion of otherwise interesting ep onedimensional and downright silly and human/egocentric.

Okay...?

[alingc · 6/10 · 22 July 2022]

Visually pretty amazing, and I feel like the worldbuilding was interesting and that it set up a pretty cool premises to a larger conflict.

However, it only became more and more predictable as the story progressed. The attraction between the two main characters I found to be too out of the blue, so that kind of killed it for me too.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't too impressive either. I might have watched another episode of the story out of curiosity.

Neat idea but I needed more

[mightyjor · 6/10 · 12 June 2022]

There's some really cool things going on in this episode. I really like the hive mind idea and the way it all of a sudden turns on them. The logic behind a sentient being turning on and off to fight off attackers is pretty neat.

Honestly though, I think the premise ultimately fails. The weird sex scene is totally random. Being chosen as breeders was cool but why do they even need breeders if they can clone? Seems like parts of this alien race functionality just appear and disappear as necessary. Also the abrupt ending is one of my least favorite things in these types of shows. It ends without even a hint of resolution and I don't understand what they were even getting at by absorbing the guy. Maybe I need to give this another watch and the clues were there and I missed them, but I don't think you need things to be irritatingly obscure for it to be smart sci-fi. Just present me with a cool concept that raises some interesting philosophical parallels with our own world and I'm a happy guy. Ultimately though, this felt like overly pretentious eye candy.

Would love to see this expanded

[and-46245 · 9/10 · 13 June 2022]

Like a bunch of episodes through-out this series, this one leaves me wanting more. Seeing these other reviews it seems I'm not alone with that sentiment. Though the implications of what comes of what happens during this episode are also good on their own.

I'm a big fan of weird monsters, cosmic horror and such things that put existence into question so this episode is my favorite together with Beyond the Aquila Rift.

Boring

[gianmarcoronconi · 6/10 · 24 May 2022]

Very boring episode with a really banal plot and an ending that wants to be original but which is as obvious as possible, really a shame because the basic idea is nice and the scenic rendering is very valid.

Great story & animation ..also a representation of human body, bacteria and immune system ?

[Vekijoe · 8/10 · 29 May 2022]

I always like the story of humans exploring a new world, it's inhabitants and it's way of life . This story showcases the nature of certain humans, who always try to use most things they find to their benefit , without thinking of the larger picture and by justifying it in a way they think is right ! (We are all guilty of it in some ways )

As soon as I stared watching this episode , could not help but think, what if humans in this story are the bacteria of our world (let's say covid) trying to enter a human body (highly intelligent organic being swarm). Swarm just like our human bodies has a lot of aliens working in an organised way. Just like red blood cells, mitochondria and all the other microscopic parts that have a certain function which work together to form and allow our complex human body to function . Just like the swarm , human body has a lot of external microbes and bacteria that work symbiotically with our cells aiding it's functions.

Lastly, the week old intelligent being that we see at the end ( which has a millions of years of racial memory ) . That sounds exactly like our extremely complex immune system. Our immune system remembers the foot print & structure of the bacteria that it has previously fought off and is ready if the same bacteria enters our body again . The soldiers fighting for the queen are centrally like our killer white cells (Lymphocyte and parts of our immune systems fighting the Intruders) protecting the human body and it's queen ( our heart).

Human body like the swarm has lived for millions of years perfecting this system through evolution .

Great setup, need more

[Hughmanity · 7/10 · 1 June 2022]

This is just a teaser for what seems like it could be a great anime series. How does the human race battle this ancient 'swarm' from inside and out? Green light 10 episodes, Netflix!

Flood Warning

[southdavid · 5/10 · 2 August 2022]

Netflix's "Love, Death and Robots" series returns for a Third run. Overall, I enjoyed the first two seasons and wrote short individual reviews for each episode and I think I'll take the same approach here.

Dr. Afriel (Jason George) heads to a millennial old insectoid alien colony for a couple of years of scientific investigation. Already there is Dr. Mirny (Rosario Dawson) who clashes with Afriel over his motivations for the research. The pair become close though, and Mirny agrees to assist in Afriel's plan, to steal an egg and establish a new colony.

Again, the animation here is reasonably good. The actors involved have been used for their likenesses as well as a vocal performance and although it's not the very best animation of this type we've seen from the series it's impressive work.

The story though is a bit of a let down this time. The premise is interesting, although I'm less convinced that Afriel's plan actually makes sense, but the story ends right at the moment it should be starting. It's the difference between a short story and the start of a bigger story that's then abandoned when the time runs out.

Technically solid, but tough to argue that this is worth your time.

Perfect

[rutger-845-637397 · 10/10 · 23 May 2022]

It's an interesting thought that to survive, you can kick on or off an intelligent system with consciousness. The idea is also used by Alastair Reynolds in his inhibitor books. The "using the same organisms" tactic was the same as the movie Oblivion.

This was for me the only episode that had the quality needed for this series, the rest was a let down this season.

A good atmosphere, but not much else.

[becky-92346 · 5/10 · 17 August 2022]

Love, Death + Robots: Swarm (2022) follows two scientists as they investigate the secrets of an ancient alien entity. This short was better than most in the series, but still fairly disappointing. It had some elements I really liked but the plot was too weak and similar to the episode Bad Travelling.

The animation was very good for this one, it was hyper-realistic and the attention to detail was pretty great. I liked the design of the aliens too! The visuals were super cool and creepy and I liked the colour schemes quite a bit too!

The language used at the start was super cool and I wish we could've heard more of it, and the dialogue overall was smart but didn't have much else to it and wasn't entirely engaging. The performances were good enough, but could've been a lot better however I did like the contrast between the two leads.

The message of the episode was good and somewhat meaningful, but this was made invalid when I realised pretty much every episode of this show has exactly the same meaning. It all just feels overdone and I think that's why I'm becoming mentally exhausted with it.

The score was boring and there was little to nothing to say about it. On the other hand, I did like the sound design. It created an odd yet immersive atmosphere which I appreciated.

Lastly, the issue with Swarm is that the story is lacking and just isn't unique. There isn't enough driving force with the plot which was a shame as the build up of tension was pretty good! I wish the short was a little longer as it seemed to abruptly end just as things were getting good.

The most thought provoking LDR episode from season 3

[mgamble9 · 8/10 · 28 May 2022]

I really loved the animation and the swarm design. They really did a great job conveying how wondrous the swarm is and despite the bravery of the two humans I thought an underlying dread was maintained, detailing the claustrophobic spaces and the destructive capacity of the creatures. The plot twist at the end was great and some really cool scifi but I feel like there could have been more to it than the abrupt ending. One reviewer noted that the ending was dumb considering the swarm was orders of magnitude more intelligent than the man it claims it enjoys speaking with. I kind of agree and feel like the writer should have had Afriel completely horrified and at a loss when he realizes the human species is now doomed because of his ambition. I still really liked the show and could not stop thinking about it.