The Oscar-nominated animated feature Robot Dreams is finally heading to U.S. theaters so you and I can watch and cry our eyes out.
The Pablo Berger-written and directed film premiered last year at Cannes, and since then has garnered rave reviews and also the Annie Award for Best Independent Feature. This latest trailer focuses on the lighter side of Dog and Robot’s relationship, when the two grow feelings for each other (and maybe… start holding hands?!) while exploring their version of New York City.
Things, however, take a sad turn. The expanded synopsis of the movie below teases how:
A tender, affecting tale of friendship, the animated Robot Dreams—adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Sara Varon—is set in a 1980s NYC populated solely by pigs, birds, cats, and other animal clans. Yet Dog leads a lonely existence, eating TV dinners in his East Village walkup. When he sees an infomercial for a robot-building kit, he seizes the chance for the perfect city buddy: Dog and Robot eat hot dogs together on 5th Avenue, roller skate in Central Park, venture to Coney Island—to the groove of their song, Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.” But when Robot gets stranded at the beach, Dog is helpless to rescue him; and, as the seasons change, they both endure a separation that will change them forever.
Will the ending be sad? Bittersweet? Happy? I’m still in the dark about that, but if Guillermo del Toro describes the film as “beautiful, unexpected, and tender,” it will be a worthy watch.
The U.S. theatrical premiere of Robot Dreams will happen on May 31, 2024, at Film Forum.
Check out the latest trailer below.
