The Pod Generation (2023) – Movie Review

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Plot Summary

Sometime around the 22nd century, technology advanced to the point where women didn’t have to be physically pregnant. Instead, either on their own or with a partner, they can have the whole pregnancy done within a pod.

For many, like Rachel, this seemed to be ideal since it would allow them to work at the same productivity level, not have to deal with bodily changes, and with her employer helping to pay for it? Well, it sounds like an excellent idea.

That is until it is made clear her husband, Alvy, is a naturalist, still very much in love with the way things were traditionally done and nature. Then, to make matters worse, Rachel feels disconnected because the baby is growing in a pod.

Thus leading to a film where Alvy is pushed to get past what is increasingly becoming the norm for childbirth in society, and Rachel is forced to figure out a way to bond with a baby that isn’t growing inside her but in a pod.

Content Information

• Dialog: Cursing (Occasional)
• Violence: N/A
• Sexual Content: Nudity (Brief), Sexual Situations (Implied)
• Miscellaneous: Drinking

General Information

Director(s)	Sophie Barthes
Screenplay By	Sophie Barthes
Based On Work By	N/A
Distributor(s)	Vertical
Date Released	August 11, 2023
How To Watch	Video On Demand
Genre(s)	Romance, Sci-Fi
Film Length	1 Hour 50 Minutes
Content Rating	Rated PG-13
Noted Characters and Cast
Rachel	Emilia Clarke
Alvy	Chiwetel Ejiofor

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Rachel (Emilia Clarke)

Rachel is an executive at an AI company doing more than training assistants but is eventually planning to deploy artificial intelligence that could become executives at companies. But, beyond her work, she is a wife who has wanted to have a child eventually, but with so much to do at her day job, the idea of getting physically pregnant never seemed to be at the right time.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Last Christmas.”

Alvy (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Alvy is a botanist who teaches about plants at a local school and is very adamant about having actual greenery versus holographic plants. This makes him a bit of an outlier in modern times, as nature has become almost a foreign concept or something more of an uncommon luxury than a hobby.

• The actor is also known for their role in “The Man Who Fell To Earth.”

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Highlights

A Realistic Look Into The Future

The sci-fi side of “The Pod Generation” is immensely fascinating. For those who may remember “The Jetsons” and other shows and movies decades ahead of their time in predicting the future, in many ways, you can see “The Pod Generation” inspiring some scientists about how birthing could be done in the future.

Alongside that, you can see the culture shift away from nature, technology becoming not an adversary, especially artificial intelligence, but another tool that makes life easy and lessens creativity and critical thinking. Scary ideas, I’m sure, but like canning food and other means that were pertinent to survival for most in the past, you can see this genuinely being where humanity heads.

The only question is, will it only take a little less than 80 years for the real world to mirror that of “The Pod Generation?”

The Evolution Of Child-Rearing and Motherhood

Piggybacking off the first topic, what is also interesting to watch is Rachel’s internal issues with becoming a mother. Note: She wants to have a child, but with seeing physically pregnant women and she has a pod, you can tell there is this feeling or question if she is missing out.

Mind you, she still gets anxious about the baby, especially if anything is beyond the routine, and she also gets a side conversation regarding her productivity lowering because she has split focus. All of which makes it clear, while being able to outsource getting pregnant is a boon for many women, like so many advances, it is less about the safety and convenience of people as it is about the productivity of corporations.

On The Fence

Clarke and Ejiofor’s Chemistry

Regarding the romance end of “The Pod Generation,” I don’t see it between Clarke and Ejiofor. While we are told they are married, they don’t have the type of relationship that shows chemistry, romance, or anything beyond the sense that they found each other acceptable.

Yes, she finds his research and knowledge about nature interesting, but it seems he is opposed to a lot of what she is part of in making society more dependent on technology. Whether it is a disconnection from nature or Rachel seeing a therapist who isn’t human and lacks consciousness. So, as for how opposites attract, it is hard to say, and while we see them cuddle and in some sexual situations, nothing pushes you to forget these are two actors playing a role rather than a couple on screen.

Good If You Like

• Sci-fi movies that aren’t about some kind of war going on

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