Netflix has come up with some very original content in the past few years, but nothing can quite compare to the best Love, Death and Robots episodes. The anthology series produced by David Fincher is a collection of animated shorts that span multiple genres and styles of animation, and audiences never quite know what to expect when it's time to tune in for a new episode. Ranging from comedy to science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and drama, there is something for everyone in Love, Death & Robots. The versatility of the show grants it an extremely broad audience that has fans eagerly awaiting each new season.
What is most impressive about the best Love, Death and Robots episodes is the talent involved. Many of the episodes are based on stories by some of the best science fiction, fantasy, and explorative fiction authors. Names include John Scalzi, Peter F. Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, and horror author Joe Lansdale. The series also attracted some big-name actors to join the franchise, including Michael B. Jordan, Gary Cole, Rosario Dawson, and Dan Stevens. Finally, a look at the creative talent involved Tim Miller, David Fincher, and some of the best animators working today, making the Netflix series a can't-miss for animation fans.
Night Of The Mini Dead (Volume 3, Episode 4)
Viewers get a bird's eye view of the collapse of civilization via a zombie apocalypse in the humorous episode "Night of the Mini Dead." From the moment the first zombie appears to total annihilation, the short film packs an impressive amount of detail into its stunning mini sets. The comical tiny voices combined with the illusion that everything is happening extremely quickly make it an episode that keeps fans glued to their screens. It's a hilarious parody of the many shows and movies that depict the end of humanity through hordes of unstoppable zombies.
All Through The House (Volume 2, Episode 6)
In "All Through the House," two kids sneak out of bet in the hopes of catching Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but they're shocked to find a horrific sack-like creature delivering their presents, instead. The creature catches and corners them, but it deems them to be good and offers up gifts before disappearing up the chimney. A Christmas tale only David Cronenberg could tell, "All Through The House" ditches the rampant symbolism and heavy themes of most of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes in favor of a twisted holiday tale meant only to provide some yuletide terror.
Sonnie's Edge (Volume 1, Episode 1)
It makes sense that the premiere remains one of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes. The number of twists and turns that are present in "Sonnie's Edge" is enough to make anyone's head spin. The concept alone is phenomenal; it imagines an underground ring of fights between beasts controlled by humans. One of Love, Death & Robot's best characters, Sonnie never loses, but no one can figure out where she gets her edge. When an evil man sets to attempt to find out, things don't go quite as expected. There's a totally shocking plot twist that sets the tone for the rest of the anthology and reminds fans to expect the unexpected when watching the show.
Shape-Shifters (Volume 1, Episode 10)
Werewolves are a fairly played-out fantasy horror trope, but one of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes revitalizes the concept by imagining them as combatants in war-torn Afghanistan. Distrusted and discriminated against because of his condition, one soldier must track down two militant insurgent werewolves in order to avenge his slaughtered comrade. An obvious parable for racial discrimination in the military, the social commentary is a bit on-the-nose at times, but "Shape-Shifters" still manages to tell a tense and meaningful story that should keep fans engaged until the end.
Pop Squad - 8.1 (Volume 2, Episode 3)
While immortality is a concept that has been portrayed numerous times in films and TV shows, the take on it in "Pop Squad" adds some interesting dark layers that some viewers might have never considered. It follows the story of the likable character of Detective Briggs as he experiences a monumental shift in his beliefs about living forever. Only the rich are allowed to have children in his world, as drug-induced immortality has caused extreme overpopulation and limited resources. As the detective goes through his daily routine of doing his job and hunting down children, something clicks inside of him that permanently changes his views.
Good Hunting (Volume 1, Episode 8)
"Good Hunting" is perhaps the Love, Death & Robots episode that feels the most out of place in the series, but its uniqueness is also its greatest strength. The longer fans spend being immersed in its world where shape-shifters and spirit hunters exist, the more it grows on them. Based on a story by best-selling Chinese author Ken Liu, 'Good Hunting' does a wonderful job of translating this piece onto the screen. It's moving and sweet, which are characteristics that are often lacking in Love, Death & Robots. It also features the powerful shape-shifting character Yan, who is impossible not to root for throughout the episode.
Three Robots (Volume 1, Episode 2)
The self-awareness present throughout the course of "Three Robots" is both hilarious and slightly frightening. Three robots embark on an excursion to learn about the extinction of humankind, something that could very well become reality. It's presented in a humorous way, with the three charming robots roaming the town like a sci-fi spoof. The dystopian "Three Robots" still remains one of the most comedic episodes of the bunch, particularly due to the cat twist no one could've seen coming. The mix of the feeling of discomfort and amusement is further proof of how good the show truly is.
The Witness (Volume 1, Episode 3)
"The Witness" is so unique and colorful that the mind-bending nature of the plot almost plays second fiddle. Any vibrant image from the episode is almost always instantly recognizable among fans. The story itself centers around a woman running from a man she saw from afar as he was committing murder. The animation is up there with some of the best in the entire season, and the plot twist at the end is jaw-dropping. It will leave audiences wondering if there is a Love, Death & Robots plot hole, or if they were simply too distracted by all the stimuli of the episode.
Lucky 13 (Volume 1, Episode 13)
The idea of a drop-ship named Lucky 13 forming a sentimental bond with its pilot can be either endearing or annoying, but the consensus is obvious; "Lucky 13" is a simple yet emotional episode with plenty of action. The relationship between human and machine is explored in this thrilling episode as a ship surrounded by superstition proves that it's more than just its unfortunate number. This premise could definitely work as a feature film and would likely be considered one of the most gorgeous sci-fi movies ever.
When The Yogurt Took Over (Volume 1, Episode 6)
One of the most iconic of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes arrived in season 1 with the John Scalzi-created story "When the Yogurt Took Over." This is the shortest episode of the series, but it is also one that most people still talk about to this day when discussing the zaniness that took place amidst the thought-provoking episodes. The plot is simple - scientists accidentally breed super-intelligent yogurt, and it soon wants to take over the world. The twist is that the yogurt has a plan that could eradicate the national debt, but as always, humans mess everything up. It is a story of how humanity's arrogance will always impede progress.
Suits (Volume 1, Episode 4)
Farming has become one of the hardest professions in this imagined future, and the Love, Death & Robots episode "Suits" portrays how neighborly characters have gotten used to donning complex mech suits to fend off terrifying creatures called DeeBees. The episode depicts a particularly awful infestation of the insectoids, which forces the brave farmers to make some tough decisions for their community's safety. With its flawless action sequences, charming characters, and emotional moments, there's more than one reason to like the often underrated episode. It may not deal with hard-hitting or philosophical topics like other stories in the series, but its story is appealing in its own unique way.
Helping Hand (Volume 1, Episode 11)
When an astronaut is hit by a stray piece of space debris, a routine space walk becomes a matter of life and death as she's forced to take some pretty drastic measures to ensure she makes it back to her ship. This Love, Death & Robots episode focuses on the astronaut, and the horrific self-mutilation the main character must endure to save her own life, Love, Death & Robots' eleventh episode is a downright agonizing watch. While still one of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes, it's a bold reminder that the series creators aren't afraid to make the viewer feel uncomfortable to tell their stories.
Jibaro (Volume 3, Episode 9)
"Jibaro" is possibly the most popular Love, Death and Robots season 3 episode, as it has sparked numerous discussions within the fandom. Its amazing visuals are only secondary to the real star of the episode, which is the sound design that's inextricably linked with the story. It depicts the entrancing Golden Woman whose screams are able to lure men to their violent deaths in her lake. Things change in "Jibaro" when she meets someone who's seemingly immune to her power, though, leading to a gripping string of events and a chilling ending that fans and critics are still trying to explain and interpret.
The Drowned Giant (Volume 2, Episode 8)
Another one of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes in season 2, and one of the best in the entire series, "The Drowned Giant" tells the story of a dead giant that washes ashore in a small town. At this point, an academic finds the corpse and begins to document the evolution of its decay. This was the season finale, and one of the episodes directed by the show's creator, Tim Miller. This Love, Death & Robots episode was based on the J.G. Ballard short story about the evolution of human life. Little by little, everything that made the giant a person disappears until there is nothing left of its humanity. Even its bones became a decoration, stripping the giant of everything that made it a living being.
Life Hutch (Volume 2, Episode 7)
"Life Hutch" is one of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes in season 2. Based on a short story by Harlan Ellison, "Life Hutch" sees an astronaut who is stranded and injured in a rescue station in space when a robot begins attacking anything that moves. Michael B. Jordan stars in this episode as an astronaut named Terence who outsmarts the robot to stay alive. "Life Hutch" was a telling episode, about humans' ability to improvise and remain resourceful even in the worst times of crisis. However, on the flip side, it is also a precautionary tale that the places meant to keep people safe are often more dangerous than the danger outside its doors.
Bad Travelling (Volume 3, Episode 2)
This short film thrusts fans out at sea with a frightened crew led by Torrin, the controversial protagonist who's forced to make some hard choices when a thanapod holds their ship hostage. The twists and turns, gorgeous animation, and shocking ending remind fans and critics of the best aspects of the critically-acclaimed show. It wasn't a surprise to see the episode win yet another well-deserved accolade for the popular series at the Annie Awards. "Bad Travelling" was one of the most highly-anticipated Love, Death and Robots season 3 episodes, and it did not disappoint.
Zima Blue (Volume 1, Episode 14)
The story of the great artist Zima is told from the perspective of a journalist who happens to be a huge fan. Zima created his own particular shade of blue and went through several procedures to become more machine than man and be able to wander around the cosmos. "Zima Blue" is one of those short films that could be stretched out to become a philosophical movie. One of the best Love, Death and Robots episodes, it takes viewers on Zima's final journey and reveals the secrets that are, to say the least, quite surprising. Paired with its unique animation style, hard-hitting narrative, and stunning visuals, it's an unforgettable episode that will stay with fans long after they've watched the likable Zima's story.
Beyond The Aquila Rift (Volume 1, Episode 7)
The best Love, Death and Robots episodes have provided the audience with unbelievable CGI, but "Beyond the Aquila Rift" completely blows everyone's expectations out of the water. What's more, the plot itself is a masterpiece, telling what is still considered one of the scariest stories from Love, Death & Robots. It has a narrative that shifts from pure sci-fi into something completely different in a heartbeat, racing towards an ending that will hit harder than most on the show. It's a true standout that doesn't shy away from hard questions about life and death.
The Secret War (Volume 1, Episode 18)
"The Secret War" is one of the scariest of the best Love, Death & Robots episodes, as there's no shortage of violence, gore, and bloodthirsty monsters in the short film. Completely impartial to any political standing, "The Secret War" instead focuses on spectacular animation, amazing fight scenes, and an overall plot that could very well be picked up as a feature film. If viewers thought human-made wars were bad, this episode proves just how much worse things could be with a little help from corrupt leaders and the occult.