Monolith

Set in the near future, the story centers on a technologically enabled road ordeal. The Monolith car houses an AI called Lilith, highlighting a world where advanced automation intersects with personal danger. The setting emphasizes isolation and high-stakes decision-making under evolving technology.

The film unfolds largely across a harsh desert landscape surrounding the Monolith car, with a destination mentioned toward Los Angeles. The isolation of the desert and the abrupt threat of the elements create a stark backdrop for a mother’s survival journey. Key locations include a deserted airport and a hospital, underscoring the contrast between harsh wilderness and civilian civilization.

🧭 Maternal Resilience

Trapped in a desert with her two-year-old son, Sandra relies on ingenuity and resolve to keep them alive. The film follows how a mother's love becomes the primary catalyst for survival under extreme conditions. Each obstacle—from heat and dwindling resources to wildlife—tests her stamina and resourcefulness. The narrative culminates in a hospital, where the bond between mother and child is reaffirmed.

🤖 AI Ethics

Lilith, the Monolith's AI, embodies the tension between automated aid and human judgment in life-or-death moments. The car's intelligence offers both supportive and obstructive forces, prompting questions about dependency on technology. The story uses this dynamic to explore how machines should intervene when human lives are at stake. The coexistence of human intuition and machine calculation is a central tension.

🏜 Desperation

The desert setting amplifies the sense of urgency and peril as Sandra fights to free her child and survive. Each setback—heat, a compromised car, and a dangerous animal—intensifies the feeling of being stranded with no clear escape. Yet moments of hope appear as she improvises solutions and pursues a path toward safety. The final rescue in the hospital marks a turning point from desperation to cautious relief.