If there’s one thing that Apple TV+ excels at, it is delivering compelling science fiction. With previous hits like Foundation, For All Mankind, and Silo, the tech giant has now added another gem to its collection: Murderbot. Premiering on May 16, the series stars Alexander Skarsgård as a rogue security robot that secretly gains free will. It has debuted with an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as a must-watch in the sci-fi action comedy genre.
Based on the acclaimed series of novels by Martha Wells, known as The Murderbot Diaries, the show has already garnered praise from critics. Carly Lane from Collider remarked,
“When held up against book-to-screen adaptations, Murderbot will arguably go down as one of the strongest so far this year.”
Similarly, critic Kate Sánchez highlighted Apple TV+’s continued success in the sci-fi arena, stating,
“Murderbot continues Apple TV+’s winning streak with sci-fi television. This is a series that deserves your attention, and as many seasons as there are books in the series.”
The Adaptation and Its Reception
While it remains to be seen if Murderbot will extend beyond its initial 10-episode season, the series has a wealth of material to draw from, with seven books currently available in Wells’ series. Craig Mathieson of Australia’s The Age likened the show to the classic 1987 action film Robocop, albeit with a unique twist. He noted,
“Guided by the dry, not-quite-human tone of its protagonist, this sly and sometimes subversive series feels like a mix of Robocop and an old adventure serial, complete with cliffhangers and 25-minute episodes.”
A Unique Take on a Familiar Concept
Unlike many narratives that might take the concept of a rogue robot into darker, Terminator-like territory, Murderbot—created by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz—distinguishes itself with humor and social commentary. The partly biological security cyborg prefers binge-watching futuristic soap operas over completing its missions. Sam Barsanti from IGN Movies captures this irony, saying,
“The funny irony is that the things that make Murderbot a nice watch would probably make Murderbot dislike its own TV show. It’s about people, and a robot, caring about and deciding to value each other even when it’s inconvenient.”
Critical Acclaim and Future Prospects
MovieWeb’s Greg Archer described Murderbot as a series “that feels fresh and exciting,” while Kristen Baldwin from Entertainment Weekly noted that viewers might have to wait for a second season to see the series reach its full potential. Meanwhile, Lacy Baugher from Paste Magazine pointed out that fans unfamiliar with Skarsgård’s comedic abilities will be pleasantly surprised, stating,
“Those who only know him from HBO’s True Blood or the Viking film The Northman may be surprised to discover how genuinely funny Skarsgård is, with a real gift for deadpan line delivery and comedic timing.”
The series is set to release its first two episodes on Apple TV+ on May 16, with the remaining eight episodes airing every Friday until its conclusion on July 11. Alongside Skarsgård, the show features a talented cast including David Dastmalchian, Noma Dumezweni, Sabrina Wu, and Tattiawna Jones.
As Murderbot continues to capture the attention of audiences and critics alike, Apple TV+ seems poised to maintain its reputation for high-quality, innovative science fiction programming. The series’ success could pave the way for future adaptations of Wells’ novels, offering fans more of the unique blend of humor and action that has already made Murderbot a standout.
