Apple Sci-fi Series Review: Murderbot Kills with Kindness and Laughter

The exciting sci-fi comedy Murderbot is set to premiere its first two episodes on Apple TV+ on May 16th, with new episodes streaming every Friday until July 11th.

Despite its name, Murderbot is not about a robot on a killing spree. Sure, the robot commits a murder or two, and calls itself “Murderbot,” but the real focus of the show is on the importance of human connections, even when they’re a bit annoying. The main character, a cyborg Security Unit named Murderbot, is on a seemingly bland mission until it hacks its own brain for free will, leading to a series of quirky and entertaining events.

Alexander Skarsgård brings a wry charm to the character of Murderbot, capturing its discomfort with human interactions. The character, who never makes eye contact and prefers its combat uniform and helmet, is neurodivergent-coded, struggling to understand human behavior while dealing with its own emotions.

What makes Murderbot stand out is its refusal to conform to usual TV tropes about neurodivergent characters. Rather than needing to be “fixed,” Murderbot’s uniqueness is accepted and embraced by the scientists it interacts with, particularly by David Dastmalchian’s character Gurathin, who sees through Murderbot’s attempts to fit in.

This refreshing take on the human-robot dynamic, combined with humor and heart, makes Murderbot a must-watch series for fans of sci-fi and comedy. So mark your calendars for its premiere and get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even rethink your views on killer robots.