Not Quite Human II

The narrative sits in a late 1980s context, reflecting era-specific tech optimism and suburban life. It follows a scientist father and his teenage son-like android navigating school, friendships, and dangers from a corporate rival. The setting of a contemporary pacelike suburb and a practical, hands-on lab environment anchors the plot in that period.

The story unfolds in a suburban town centered around a high school where Chip attends. The Carson family home serves as the emotional core, contrasting with the bustling school and the junkyard sequence that introduces a harsher, industrial environment. The mix of a family residence, a public school, and the junkyard creates a varied backdrop for the android’s integration into human life.

🤖 Humanity

Chip’s struggle to be seen as more than a machine drives the film’s core question of what it means to be human. His developing emotions, loyalty, and sense of self challenge the boundary between artificial constructs and real life. The narrative culminates in a moment of self-definition that emphasizes relational love and belonging over biological origin.

🧭 Identity

Chip’s identity is tested by attempts to reprogram him, forcing him to choose between conformity and autonomy. The human characters also wrestle with how they define him—friend, family member, or something else entirely. The story uses teen dynamics and the android’s arc to explore how identity is formed through experiences and relationships.

💼 Power & Ethics

Vogel’s pursuit of Chip exposes the dangers of corporate and military control over advanced technology. The plot questions who gets to own life-like machines and for what purpose. The tension between scientific wonder and the potential for exploitation underscores the ethical limits of technological advancement.