Next Gen (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Grainland is the futuristic setting where the story takes place. It is a highly advanced city marked by technological innovations and deep robotic integration into daily life. Despite its modern facade, the city reflects underlying emotional complexities and highlights how robotics have replaced many aspects of human interaction, creating feelings of isolation among its inhabitants.

• grainland
• futuristic city
• setting
• robotic city

The movie takes place in a future where robotics have become deeply embedded in society, influencing education, law enforcement, and personal relationships. This future setting explores how technology has overtaken human interactions, leading to feelings of isolation and neglect among people.

• future
• time period
• setting
• robotic society

Next Gen explores the dichotomy between advanced technology and human emotions, showing how excessive reliance on robots can lead to emotional isolation. The film showcases Mai's aversion to robots as a reflection of her deeper struggle with abandonment and grief, ultimately advocating for the importance of human connection despite technological dominance.

• technology vs humanity
• theme
• emotional isolation
• robots

Mai Su is a young girl who transforms into a resilient teenager grappling with feelings of neglect and anger. She initially harbors a fierce aversion to robots but gradually learns to confront her emotions and embrace her relationships. Her journey reflects the struggles of adolescence and the quest for belonging in a technology-dominated world.

• mai su
• character
• teenager
• emotional journey

Project 7723 is an advanced robot developed by Dr. Tanner Rice that becomes Mai's unlikely ally. With limited memory capacity, he struggles to retain meaningful experiences while forming a deep emotional connection with Mai. His journey symbolizes the battle for identity in an age of machines.

• 7723
• project 7723
• robot
• main character

Molly is Mai's mother, whose grief following her husband's departure leads her to rely heavily on robots for companionship. While well-meaning, her emotional detachment from Mai exacerbates her daughter's feelings of loneliness. Molly's character highlights the frailty of human connections in a tech-dominated world.

• molly
• mother
• family
• parenting

The theme of personal growth follows Mai as she navigates her emotional struggles and learns to confront her past. Through her bond with 7723, she finds strength and resilience, highlighting the journey of healing and self-discovery. The resolution emphasizes the importance of memories and the connections that shape identity.

• growth
• resilience
• healing
• personal journey

Dr. Tanner Rice is the creator of Project 7723, embodying the archetype of a scientist driven by innovation. His work reflects the duality of technological advancement, posing ethical dilemmas related to artificial intelligence. Tanner serves as a bridge between Mai and 7723's adventures.

• dr tanner rice
• scientist
• creator
• innovator

The ending is bittersweet because while the day is saved and new friendships are formed, Mai's primary bond with the robot must be rebuilt from scratch after 7723 experiences significant memory loss. This loss represents both sacrifice and the cyclical nature of building new connections.

• ending
• bittersweet
• memory loss
• sacrifice

In this world, robotics have replaced many aspects of daily life, from companionship to daily tasks. This technological takeover has caused shifts in human relationships, with people relying on robots for emotional support rather than human connection, creating a society where genuine relationships have become rare.

• robots
• daily life
• technology impact
• society