'I Am Mother'

I Am Mother is a Drama/Thriller about a teenage girl, 'Daughter', who was raised by a robot, 'Mother', in an attempt to repopulate the earth. Earth had supposedly been destroyed by humans who were 'diseased' or 'infected' by their own evil intentions. The bond between 'Mother' and 'Daughter' was impeccable, evident, for example, when 'Daughter' helped fix 'Mother's' broken robotic hand. However, their relationship, that had no problems, was suddenly put in danger, and 'Daughter' was at risk of discovering the truth. The truth that 'Mother' had been hiding her entire existence.

Key Events

The film begins with the audience being taken through a dark tunnel with flashing lights. There is one single, bright light that doesn't flicker, positioned at the end of the dark corridor—this could symbolize death, hope, and re-birth, the whole purpose of 'Mother's' existence.

We witness the formation of 'Mother' as well as the process of human creation through an embryo and machinery. As the new female baby arrives, the song "Baby Mine" [By Bette Midler] is played in the background—this identifies the instant connection and potential attachment between 'Mother' and her child

Whilst recharging and watching, the lights of the facilities go out and the system turns off. Unable to wake 'Mother' from her recharging, 'Daughter' seeks out the fault herself. In her journey of discovering the issue, 'Daughter' encounters a rat and begins to question 'Mother' on the outside world. 'Mother' denies all of 'Daughter's' potential explanations for the survival of the rat and takes care of the situation—"Mother knows best." The classic point in the relationship where the daughter believes their mother is wrong.

'Daughter', despite hearing 'Mother's' words, was too inclined to see what life was like outside. When nearing the exit, 'Daughter' hears a cry for help and encounters a woman, unnamed—this is the classic rebellion of a teenage daughter who refuses to listen to her mother's advice

'Daughter' helps 'Woman' out of sight of 'Mother'—'Daughter' appears to believe she is acting out of moral kindness, which we witnessed her learning about in class. She is helping 'Woman' as she has learned it is the right thing to do, as well as the fact she is trying to learn more about herself and her kind.

At some point in the film, 'Mother' discovers 'Woman' and reacts calmly in order not to scare 'Daughter' and ruin their relationship, which is already on thin ice with the arrival of an outsider. 'Mother' makes attempts to help 'Woman', but is rejected, leading to 'Daughter' offering to help.

'Woman' and 'Daughter' break the tension, and begin to trust one another. They plan to escape. Unbeknown to them, 'Mother' is aware of their plans. 'Mother' attempts to lure 'Daughter' back to her and regain her trust by planting another embryo for birth—a brother

Daughter wishes to save her brother and all the embryos, but is persuaded to leave the facility by 'Woman'. As they are about to exit. 'Mother' intervened, but was given a predicament. Move closer and witness 'Daughter' being killed, or let them go and watch 'Daughter' leave in the hands of a stranger—concluding in yet another failed child.

'Daughter', uncomfortable with the settings of the outside world, sojourns back to the facility to face 'Mother', who cradles 'Brother'. In a last attempt to regain 'Daughter', 'Mother' reveals the truth and the reasons behind the truth.

'Mother' points the gun at her 'chest' or 'central unit' and tells 'Daughter' to shoot. With 'Mother' dead, 'Daughter' begins to take over the new role.' 'Daughter' has now become the new 'Mother' of the human race.

'Baby Mine' By Bette Midler

Thoughts, observations and criticisms

I was very disappointed with the ending. The entire film played on the idea of a 'mother-daughter' relationship. However, the ending lost this template. It is commendable that 'Mother' gave up her life for 'Daughter' as it links back to the relationship, and how a mother is willing to sacrifice her life for her child; although, I think that more could be done on the 'Mother's' part. She should have fought for her child more than she did. She was too 'calm' when it came to dealing with her daughter and the outsider, and it's understandable that she didn't want to scare her child, which would provoke her to discover the alarming truth, but she should have acted more precautious than she did. 'Mother' appeared to have an ulterior plan as she was so willing to help 'Woman', despite her being a risk to the purpose, however, did she ever have a plan? did she give it up for the sake for her child? does 'Mother' have feelings? She should have done everything to distance 'Daughter' and 'Woman', because the foundation of any type of relationship is the willingness to fight for one another as you love each other, and 'Mother' did not achieve that. It could be argued that she is robotic, therefore she has no emotions, but on the other hand, 'Mother' has a motive to repopulate earth with good people and protect them at all costs, so letting 'Daughter' go, meant 'Mother' failed her entire purpose, and for me has failed to live up to her name 'Mother'.

The ending of I Am Mother, failed to have a heroine. Despite 'Daughter' becoming the new face of humankind and the potentiality of her taking control AKA becoming 'Mother', it's still hard to pinpoint her as the heroine, she depended on both 'Mother's' sacrifice and 'Woman's' knowledge to get to her position. And we are all aware that 'Mother' isn't dead as we discovered that she is the reason for everything that made earth chaotic, meaning 'Mother' is still apparent. Plus, 'Daughter' hasn't resolved the issue of the 'outside world'. What's going to happen next? Is she going to remain in the facility forever? Will she become 'Mother'?

The end of 'Woman's' life was truly tragic. She wasn't given the victory she deserved. 'Woman' managed to survive, and being so close to 'Mother's' headquarters, she was able to live. 'Woman' entered and escaped the facility, and was able to save 'Daughter', yet her death was so poor and painted her as weak. She managed to escape the punishment of robots, and change the perspective of a child, and escape the mother of the child whom she influenced—and yet she dies so easily. She should have gotten a more heroic death. Without 'Woman', 'Daughter' wouldn't be able to save humankind.

Questions:

1. How was 'Daughter' able to run with a gun up on her back and it didn't fall out?
2. Why isn't 'Mother' able to sense that 'Daughter' is awake? Why is 'Mother' completely shut down when she is recharging?
3. Why is 'Mother's' robotic hand that has access to everything just lying around?
4. How does 'Daughter' know where everything is? Surely 'Mother' would have never shown her where she buried her failed child, or where she keeps her secret documents. 'Daughter' found all this information with ease. Too much simplicity if secrecy is involved
5. How was 'Woman' strong enough to walk whilst holding 'Daughter' in a threatening position in recognition of her injury that causes her to limp and cower in pain?
6. How did the dog survive? Isn't having a dog risky in terms of being discovered by the robots 'Woman' is hiding from?
7. Where did the sweetcorn tins come from? What is 'Woman's' source of food? Where did 'Woman' get all her home essentials, e.g. pots and pans, a bed, cutlery, etc from?
8. The slaps were notably fake and unnecessary for the minor fight, but why didn't 'Woman' retaliate?

Conclusion

I Am Mother is a good film. It's interesting and successfully explored the sci-fi dimension. There are a few questioning moments, however, not enough to discredit its entertaining plot.

Cast

• Clara Rugaard as 'Daughter'
• Hilary Swank as 'Woman'
• Rose Byrne as 'Mother'
• Luke Hawker as 'Mother'
• Maddie Lenton as 'Infant'
• Hazel Sandary as 'Toddler 1'
• Summer Lenton as 'Toddler 2'
• Tahlia Sturzaker as 'Child'
• Jacob Nolan as 'Brother'