Hirokazu Koreeda's new film, Sheep in the Box (Hako no naka no hitsuji), examines the intersection of human grief and AI, as grieving parents use a humanoid replica to fill the void left by their deceased son.
Family Dynamics and AI
Koreeda, known for his portrayal of family dynamics, ventures into a near-future setting where technology meets emotion. The film's central motif, a humanoid child, mirrors real-life children as it seeks independence, yet the narrative lacks depth, making its two-hour runtime feel prolonged.
Screened at the Cannes Film Festival, the cast includes Haruka Ayase, Daigo, and Rimu Kuwaki. Despite a promising start with futuristic elements—such as a drone delivering a humanoid—the film fails to capitalize on its potential, leading to a lackluster exploration of its themes.
Plot and Themes
The plot centers on architect Otone Komoto (Haruka Ayase) and her husband Kensuke (Daigo), who are introduced to REbirth, a company creating AI replicas of deceased loved ones. Despite initial hesitation, they decide to enroll in the program, recreating their son Kakeru (Rimu Kuwaki) through AI.
The film explores the friction between human emotions and AI's lack of feeling, but Koreeda's focus remains elusive, resulting in a narrative that fails to engage. The arrival of Otone's mother adds tension, yet the drama remains muted.
AI and Nature
Koreeda's take on AI avoids dystopian narratives, instead suggesting a future where humanoids and humans coexist. The film introduces a subplot involving Kakeru and other AI children crafting plans in an abandoned warehouse, hinting at their potential independence.
Notably, the film draws parallels between AI and nature, using a
