Why You Should Be Watching MurderBot

Even though anything starring Alexander Skarsgård should be the only thing that anyone cares about on release day, thanks to the marketing team at Apple TV+ who simply refuse to do much of what they’re supposed to be doing, MurderBot too runs the risk of going under the radar like most other shows from the streaming platform. This was an extremely long sentence, but I also said it out aloud in without any pauses, so you understand and comprehend my frustration with the said marketing team.

Anyway, long story short, MurderBot, starring the ever-fabulous Skarsgård, is now out on Apple TV+ and there’s no reason, none whatsoever, for you to not check it out!

Based on Martha Wells’ book series, The MurderBot Diaries, the show stars Skarsgård in and as, well, MurderBot, a security robot who’s working in a futuristic society as a SecUnit (short for Security Unit), working with a research team, led by a wonderful Noma Dumezweni as Mensah.

MurderBot hates human beings and his commentary throughout the show is exactly on those lines. It’s hilarious and Skarsgård’s straight-faced expressions and delivery make it funnier.

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The show’s central premise is around MurderBot (as Skarsgård names himself in the show) hacking his way out of the strict government system keeping a check on him (and other such SecUnits), as he accompanies Mensah and Gang on a dangerous research program. Despite his newfound freedom, he has to maintain the appearance of being a fully compliant SecUnit or risk being melted down. Obviously though, they’re suspicious of him, he hates them and one of the scientists, Gurathin, is trying to turn him in. It’s the perfect plotline for a sci-fi meets dark comedy show and MurderBot never misses a beat.

The entire cast if top-notch but make no mistake, Skarsgård is the one who stands out in every episode. It’s a grey part and the actor shines through and through.

I can’t remember the last time the actor was so spot-on, and the show is to be credited for not tapping into his face and physique (he does spend a fair amount of time covered from head to toe in a robot’s gear) making it a rare case of us, the audiences, looking beyond his looks. Though if you find yourself drooling for this wise crack-whipping SecUnit who’s also out for blood, you do you.

Written, produced and directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, the show also has both Skarsgård and Wells as producers, so you know that she’s completely aligned with its creative vision. And why wouldn’t she – the show’s an absolute hoot along with being a great commentary on the concept of using servants be it human or the robot kind.

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But if you’re looking for more than just dark comedy (no matter how hilarious it gets), there’s enough and more sci-fi going for and in the show. Though the show is a stand-out for its humour more than anything else.

Each of the show’s 10 30-minute episodes keep the wit going. They fly by, before you know, so it’s a great show to binge on should you decide to wait for all of them to come out. For now, three episodes are out and I’ll wholeheartedly recommend you check them out.