Robot & Frank

After a high-functioning robot is assigned as his carer, an ex-con attempts to co-opt it into a series of burglaries.

In a future that doesn’t seem all that far away, Frank is a divorced father, grandfather and somewhat-reformed criminal, living alone in small-town America. His son, Hunter, travels to check on him once a week, but when he becomes increasingly concerned about his father’s ability to take care of himself, Hunter decides to buy him a robot carer.

At first Frank resents the intrusion, but when he discovers that the robot can lie to achieve its goals, he identifies an opportunity to train it as his new partner-in-crime.

Curator’s Note

Jake Schreier’s feature directorial debut is a warm-hearted examination of memory, connection and our evolving relationship with technology. Its impressive all-star human cast includes Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Liv Tyler, James Marsden and an almost unrecognisable Jeremy Strong (Succession).

But it’s the friendship at the heart of the film between Frank and the nameless robot, voiced by Peter Sarsgaard, that will disarm viewers and ask them to check their AI anxiety at the door, at least for a moment.

Robot & Frank premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

– Reece Goodwin, Film & TV Curator