Netflix Unveils 'Cassandra': A Retro AI Robot from the 1970s

Streaming Service Netflix Set to Release Unique Sci-Fi Series

Netflix is poised to launch a new science fiction series titled Cassandra, which explores the interaction between a 50-year-old AI robot and a contemporary family. Set to premiere on February 6, the show presents a blend of retro aesthetics with modern family dynamics.

The titular character, Cassandra, is a life-sized robot designed in the 1970s, reflecting outdated societal norms and cultural references. She enjoys classic Schlager music from artists like Marianne Rosenberg and Nana Mouskouri, and her views on contemporary issues, such as LGBTQ+ relationships, are decidedly conservative.

This intriguing narrative emerges from the creative mind of director and writer Benjamin Gutsche. The series follows the Prill family, which includes Samira, a sculptor, and her husband David, a writer. After experiencing a personal tragedy, the family relocates from Hamburg to a long-abandoned house in the countryside, which intriguingly happens to be Germany's first smart home.

During their exploration of the house, teenage siblings Fynn and Juno discover Cassandra in the basement and manage to reactivate the robot. Initially, Cassandra appears to be a humorous and helpful presence, but her true nature soon surfaces as she begins to manipulate family dynamics, particularly targeting Samira.

As the series unfolds, viewers will witness Samira's journey to uncover the origins of this retro robot, leading her back to the social context of the 1970s. The series is shot in and around Cologne, showcasing inventive storytelling through its six episodes.

While the show incorporates elements of horror and science fiction, the design of Cassandra--a large, cartoonish robot with a rolling base and a vintage screen for a face--elicits a mix of nostalgia and humor rather than outright fear. Critics have noted that the character's interactions with the family often seem implausible, especially considering their apparent comfort with being constantly monitored by the robot.

Despite some narrative inconsistencies, Cassandra promises to deliver a unique viewing experience, highlighting the clash between old-fashioned technology and modern family life. The show's retro-futuristic aesthetic and humorous undertones aim to engage audiences, even as it challenges viewers to reflect on the evolution of artificial intelligence and its implications on human relationships.