After Yang (2021) User Reviews

Worth seeing

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 4 July 2022]

In what seems to be the near future, a married couple and their young daughter deal their "techno-sapien" android/nanny Yang ceasing to function. As the husband tries to get him (note, not "it") refurbished, he learns more about Yang's life, both with his family and the one before he met them. "Technos" like Yang are equipped with memory that allow them to record a few seconds each day, and in some of the film's finest moments, the husband gains access to these. It's touching to see what was notable to Yang, who is more human-like (or even Christ-like) than machine, and Kogonada explores what it means to be a conscious organism in a world where technology could possibly create consciousness.

Despite the premise, After Yang seems to deal more with death and the loss of a gentle person in one's life than it does with the traditional themes of robots in science fiction. It certainly doesn't pursue some of the more interesting angles, e.g. The privacy breach Yang represents. When the company "recycles" technos, you see, it has access to a massive amount of information about the family they were with. We see that Yang is warm and gentle, in direct contrast to specter of a high-tech Big Brother or the cool, emotionless tension we see in the parents, and it made me wonder whether it was possible to create organisms that are better than humans, and not the apocalyptic Terminator type devices seen elsewhere.

It's all a very interesting concept, but I'm not sure Kogonada did as much with it as he could have. He also moves this film along at too slow a pace, one bordering on pretentiousness. The wonderful dance sequence in the opening credits and Mitski's cover of Glide help breathe life into it, but not enough for me to truly love this film. Maybe more perspective from the little girl or mother, or maybe letting up on the brake to allow for more of development in the story would have done it for me. Worth seeing though.

Profound and Beautiful

[sweidman-28016 · 8/10 · 22 January 2022]

"There's no something without nothing."

When Yang - a lifelike, artificially intelligent android - abruptly stops functioning, a father's quest to repair him eventually becomes one of existential introspection and contemplating his own life, as it passes him by. After Yang is Kogonada's second feature after Columbus. I haven't seen Columbus but it's become a must see in the indie feature selection from the past few years. Foreign to his style and skills, I found his work to be masterful. Firstly, the script, based on a short story, is incredibly thought provoking. It plays heavy on the ethics of life and technology leaving us to wonder if an A. I. is worth saving. Filled to the brim with beautiful moments, everything is bittersweet and sentimental. One of the big aspects is memories. Kogonada writes and execute this memories much like how our mind process them. Little things repeat and change to bring out the correct portrayal. At first it feels like your mind processed the scene wrong but quickly you'll pick up on that. Another thing I loved is the camera placement throughout. He has the vision of what we should be looking at specifically, even if it's not the focus of the scene, and it all flows together nicely. The cinematography is stunning, popping with life and great production design. The score is also really beautiful.

Colin Farrell has a difficult character to play. The complexity of managing a different persona from actual growing feelings is hard to convey with what the film deals with. There's a few scenes he nails perfectly. Hayley Lu Richardson does well in her smaller role. We slowly learn who she is and how she fits into this story. Once we find out the full story, it's emotional and profound. Justin H. Min as Yang only has a few scenes but his presence is felt throughout. Most of his dialogue is poetic and adds so much to his character. The film is never too on the nose or explains everything to the audience. We're piecing details and thoughts together just as much as they are. This is a slow burn. Sometimes the pacing falls flat within scenes. As everything progresses, it's hard not to be mesmerized by the topics and story as a whole. I really want to read the short story now. Though the film may end on a note that doesn't work for everyone, I think it ends at the perfect moment. The last few scenes are a knock out. I'm really pleased with After Yang and want to rewatch it again. Earnest and profound, it'll be hard to forget.

gentle and lyrical and flawless

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 6 March 2022]

So few of these hi-concept lo-budget sci-fi films succeed, it is important for both critics and viewers alike to honor those that pull it off. That said, to argue that the brilliance of the film lies in its ability to leave the viewer with weighty thoughts afterwards is to miss the joy and compassion of the film in real time. Not Marvel. Not even especially commercial. But, for what it is, flawless. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

SLOW

[ckonopacky · 6/10 · 8 March 2022]

This has to be one of THE slowest moving movies I've ever watched. Although it was a beautiful story and interesting it was painful to sit through. I actually had to watch it in several different segments at three different times just to get through it. Also it's very darkly filmed so be prepared to close all the shades in the room you're in.

SHORT FILM EMBIGGENED TO UNNECESSARY LONGER LENGTH...!

[masonfisk · 6/10 · 7 June 2022]

An indie film set in the future from last year. Colin Farrell & Jodie Turner-Smith are raising their daughter w/the help of a robot which they bought refurbished. The parents begin to worry when Yang, Justin H. Min, starts to malfunction & what his potential absence will have on their daughter which prompts Farrell to venture out into the world to find out his background which includes visions of a girl, played by Haley Lu Richardson, who meant enough to him she's still in his memory banks. Taking a page out of other scifi outliers like Blade Runner, A. I. & even to some extent the Will Smith actioner I, Robot, this film's message of a robot achieving its own consciousness is lost in its fey, flowery delivery as it feels (which reading the head credits this film was based on a short...probably the best format for this), even at its short running time of 90 or so minutes, bloated by unnecessary visual deviations & flourishes making this at best a beautiful ad for a B & B & at worst a waste of my time. Also starring Sarita Choudhury & Ritchie Coster as robot merchants w/Clifton Collins as Farrell's neighbor.

Beautifully shot, well acted, with deep and subtle symbolism, a bit slow

[siderite · 9/10 · 31 March 2022]

We immediately see that we are in the future because everything has great style and space and nature, Colin Farrell is married to a beautiful and exotic black woman (who kind of treats him like dirt because he doesn't earn as much) and they have a Chinese daughter and a human looking android. Then the android breaks, leaving the family, but mostly the little girl, bereaved. It is up to Farrell's character to understand why it broke, untangle the complex rules of service and/or replacement in a corporate ruled world and also discover who their android actually was.

At no moment does the film hit you over the head with anything. Ideas are subtle, although not too much, seeing that I caught on to them. At its core the film examines deep concepts like the meaning and worth of one's life, the value of connection, but in a way that brings a lot to the discussion, yet not forcing an answer. It poses questions in the form of characters dealing with stuff and there is no definite closure, although they all reach some sort of higher understanding.

I would like to tell you that I loved the film, but it had its issues as well. One of them is that it was kind of slow. Everything was meticulously planned and beautifully shot, but consider that this is barely one hour and a half and felt a lot longer. Indeed, it is based on a short story so either the writer/director had to add a lot more to the story or instead focus on style and art form. It is a very good film and certainly one of the better I've seen in a while and I highly recommend it, but it might be advisable to be in a more contemplative or introspective mood when you try watching it.

Touching and thought-provoking look at A.I.

[gortx · 19 March 2022]

Like with his previous feature, COLUMBUS, Director Kogonada has fashioned an evocative tale about communication. Taking the form of a sci-fi film, AFTER YANG concerns a married couple, Jake (Colin Farrell) and Kyra (Jodi Turner-Smith), who have adopted a Chinese girl Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). In this unspecified future, a family can employ a surrogate android sibling, here named Yang (Justin Min). Yang acts not only as an older brother, but as a tutor who gives Mika a richer understanding of her Chinese heritage. When Yang malfunctions, the parents scramble to repair him, during which time they are able to 'plug in' to his memory chip.

Kogonada (who also adapted the script from an Alexander Weinstein short story) isn't that interested in the hardware that makes up Yang, but, his inner "thoughts" - his very notion of existence (the science fiction elements are handled quite well). What's fascinating here is that this is truly a two-way interaction - the family is as tied emotionally to Yang as the robot is in its role as an adopted family member. Haley Lu Richardson plays Ada, another character who's questioning her own existential being.

AFTER YANG may seem like heavy going, but, Kogonada and the wonderful cast present the tale in a most simple, unaffected manner. Lessons aren't delivered, but experienced. Some of the most sublime moments are as simple as drinking a glass of water. The viewer takes from the movie what they bring to it. Kogonada leaves it up the audience to decide what Yang's very being represents -- and how humans will accept that autonomy.

Artificial life and interaction with future families

[gfarrell0 · 6/10 · 8 March 2022]

After Yang is a high quality indie scifi movie. The movie exams many topics of what constitutes, a family and life vs property etc. It does it thru exploring various characters memories. It is slow paced and can be confusing. It never states a real story but it does give you insight into various question and gives good depth to the characters so the entertainment value will vary greatly depending on audience.

It wasn't my favorite and I won't be recommending to most of my friends but I am sure some people will love it.

Brilliant

[Jithindurden · 9/10 · 6 March 2022]

In 2017 I decided to watch the nominees of most of the well-known award ceremonies and the Independent spirits awards had multiple nominations including best first feature, best first screenplay and best cinematography for the movie "Columbus". That was the most pleasant surprise I had that year because unlike most of the other films I've heard for the first time by checking those lists, "Columbus" blew me away by its visual language. It said a ton even when the movie itself stayed simple and didn't rely too much on exposition. So, I was excited about Kogonada's second feature and he completely delivered.

There have been many films that ask questions about the existence and consciousness of artificial beings. Most of them explore a bigger story where this plot point will be used for dramatic effect and the twists and turns in the plot. But none have felt as heartfelt and poignant as this one. The film feels so personal as most of the film occurs inside a house. Unlike "Columbus" where he explored the architecture of that small town to show the dreams and confusions of the characters, here Kogonada uses the confines inside an elegantly designed house to show the barriers and connections between the family members. The film explores themes like what constitutes a family, what makes someone human, what is memories, what is beyond our existence as we know it, and about the ability of the human mind to love and hate anything without seemingly needing any logic, etc. It also shows various ways people would choose to mourn a beloved person. Some of it is seen directly as part of the story and some are shown partially and leave the audience to work it out themselves.

After Yang

[FKDZ · 7/10 · 4 March 2023]

After Yang is a good drama with a strong emphasis on grief. Combined with a very strong soundtrack and great performances it comes together as a slow, mesmerizing movie about being in a state of mind of loss and sadness. It's weakness is that it feels somewhat underdeveloped, and the balance between characters is off.

Directing wise it's strong, it's mostly framed really nicely, nothing crazy. But the framing combined with the set design allows for most of the shots to capture a feeling that embodies the scene. The highpoint(s) of the movie are the memory scenes, those are something else. You have to be completely immersed for these to work but my... they worked for me. Incredibly reflective, taunting existentialism, grief, loss, happiness.. you name it.

If you went into this (kind of like me) thinking it would be this cool high tech world in which you get to explore this android and it's abilities, how he integrates. It's really not that at all. By all means Yang is just another human character. Which is the point of the movie, the android has become so interwoven, the characters haven't yet understood they see Yang as a family member instead of something you can just replace. It's that aspect, plus the grief after that makes it a strong story. The whole Yang perspective aspect is super intriguing as well, questioning consciousness. Just those shots in the mirror.. incredible. Incredibly though a movie with a subject like this, it never made me tear up intensely. It could've if it hooked longer on the strong emotional moments.

That said, character wise, whilst Jake, Yang and Mika get their time. Kyra just seems like a constant nag, that never really got to shine. She had one scene, which didn't really go far enough. Ada (Haley Lu Richardson) which I just saw in the White Lotus S2 was a real surprise in this as well, a small role but she was great, kind of the same role as WL where there's this nuance, underlying emotional turmoil.

Music is fantastic too. Great little movie.

It's Our Memories that Make Us...

[Xstal · 3/10 · 8 January 2023]

... and after absorbing this you'll have an urge to wipe it from your mind as quickly as possible.

What would you do, if your android blew a fuse, shuffled off immortal coil, didn't work and couldn't toil, in a world where you rely, on this very human guy, to bring up, adopted daughter, as you're too busy pouring water, would you take apart his mind, not sure what things you might find, open windows to its core, visions hidden behind doors, finding analogue interactions, pushed from binary transactions, secrets Yang had hoped to keep, or would you shut your eyes and sleep - as dull as ditch water.

After Yang is a profound, sincere study of what it means to be a family, what it means to be loved, and how important it is to remember where we come from.

[msbreviews · 8/10 · 21 February 2022]

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free thoughts, please follow my blog to read my full review :)

"After Yang may have some pacing issues, but Kogonada's beautifully thoughtful storytelling and ASKA's unforgettable, tear-inducing score transform this piece into a contemplative, inspirational cinematic experience.

A profound, sincere study of what it means to be a family, what it means to be loved, and how important it is to remember where we come from. A fascinating look into the core of humanity through the heart of a robot - both literally and figuratively.

Exceptional performances, but Colin Farrell stands out with a subtle yet potent performance. Occasionally, it loses itself amid its admittedly gorgeous wide, static shots.

Still memorable, nonetheless."

Rating: B+

Cinema Omnivore - After Yang (2021) 6.7/10

[lasttimeisaw · 7/10 · 11 March 2022]

"The subjects AFTER YANG tackles and alludes to encompass a wide range from loss and bereavement, adoption and parenting to A. I. issues like the presumed mentality and philosophy of a sentient A. I. robot, the ethical yardstick in the highly controversial technology, and the trickiest one, the communication between a human and an android, where is the guideline here? Through a tête-à-tête between Jake and Yang about Chinese tea, the last subject is given a tentative answer, empathy is the key, while fully aware of Yang's non-human specificity, Jake can strike an emotional connection with him, a revelation could further blur the line that separates man and machine. Gradually, Jake accepts Yang as one of his children, and it also becomes his bereavement when the family must accept Yang's departure."

read my full review on my blog: Cinema Omnivore, thanks.

not connecting with this

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 10 March 2022]

Jake (Colin Farrell), his wife Kyra, and their adopted Chinese daughter Mika are a happy family with android Yang. Yang breaks down and Mika becomes depressed.

It's slow and I'm not connecting with Yang. Maybe if the movie opens with a better scene of Yang being a caretaker with Mika. He isn't much more than a robot. I don't feel it. He needs to be a breathing feeling human being. His reveal should be shocking. He can't be a robot while being a robot. This film is all played understated and I'm not connecting with this.

Mixed bag

[Eggoreluckadman · 7/10 · 4 March 2022]

Good performances, beautiful visuals, but the dialogue is stilted and the pacing is slow. The good outweighs the bad, but this is a movie I just liked that I easily could have loved.

So much to talk, yet everyone in the movie melancholically stares instead

[tug_san · 25 February 2023]

I think the designs of the sets and the overall aesthetic of the movie were great. A great composition of minimalistic Japanese lifestyle was presented as the near future where the movie takes place. And when you think about all the minimalization attempts gaining traction in our everyday life, it sure doesn't seem far fetched. Which is what I liked the most about the movie. It tries to tackle the questions it asks in a very subtle way. Just like how the future that's presented to us is coming from a slight part of our reality, the sci-fi aspect of yang not being a human also has that sense of reality to it; unlike how artificial intelligence is represented in other sci-fi movies, After Yang has a fresh take on the struggles of a hypothetical consciousness trying to make sense of their existence. This time the question isn't "What makes someone a human?", it is -as it was stated several times in the movie- "What makes someone Asian?".

But that's also where my main criticism of the movie starts. It felt like writers never meant to "tackle" anything per se but rather they wanted to ask the question and leave it there. Still it could've been more compelling if the characters had been given enough opportunities to be developed. At times it felt like writers were too proud of asking the question to bother to provoke thought in their own discussion. Lines such as "...such a human thing to ask isn't it? We always assume that other beings would want to be human." present questions like why wouldn't they want to be, or why would they? We all have our own set of beliefs but people depicted in After Yang don't seem to. They behave as if they are the spectators of their own life. And the large chunk of the movie where Jake watches Yang's memories materializes the movie's attitude towards approaching a topic. Which was quite unfulfilling to be put through.

A quiet cerebral sci-fi family film that demands reflection

[ObsessiveCinemaDisorder · 7/10 · 3 April 2022]

After Yang is a quiet, thinking man's science fiction film that patiently muses on all its big sci-fi questions and invites audience reflection like a weekend silence retreat session.

In the not-too-distant future, Jake and Kyra live with their adoptive Chinese daughter Mika and Yang, a robot sibling responsible for teaching her about Chinese culture. Being a second-hand-sold outdated model, Yang breaks down. Jake sets off to repair Yang before his body decomposes.

Writer-director Kogonada, who began his career making film criticism video essays online, raises more big questions than he answers. AI, the meaning of artificial life, and whether machines have a soul are topics that have been explored before in other sci-fi films. Explores the topics in a style of its own.

What's fresh about Kogonada's take is that the story examines its sci-fi themes through the prism of a family unit. Does accepting a robot as part of your family make him a family member? Is the robot able to give back the love you're giving to it? Or because you programmed it to? Does it even matter?

The sci-fi themes mix in with the family themes. We are all familiar with grieving the death of a pet goldfish or a grandparent, but how does one go about grieving a robot that may or may not be repaired? From that point onwards, the film asks questions in places we have never thought about.

The production design was intriguingly unique. Kogonada envisions the future as a multicultural world dominated by Zen Buddhism and futuristic minimalism. Everyone dresses in Asian garb and lives quietly in a minimalist Zen decor home complete with their courtyard and travels in automated cars going under Elon Musk-esque tunnels. The story's conflict aside, it is practically a utopia.

Watching After Yang was like aromatherapy. Kogonada speaks in little hints, traces of scent, and moods. It was like visiting an incense store, sampling a series of smells, and pondering what each incense stick makes me think of.

The film patiently built its center of gravity, and I slowly pulled into its orbit and watched it in a reflective, thoughtful daze, contemplating my answers to its questions.

After Yang gives as much as the audience puts into it. It's not for everybody and someone who doesn't participate may find that nothing much happens in After Yang. I liked what I got out of it and it was a satisfying one-time watch.

Strikes a chord

[guskeller · 9/10 · 7 March 2022]

After Yang sneaks thought into small moments. Although the narrative is straightforward, it examines complex themes. Set in the not-too-distant future, an android helps a family raise their child. The android suddenly malfunctions and the family struggles to get him working again. Along the way, their relationships evolve, they learn about the android's personal life, and their understandings of existence deepen. Existentialism, significance, and love are delicately considered, feeling genuine yet rich. Despite announcing very little, After Yang evokes powerful emotions that will have viewers contemplating what really matters. True to science fiction, the film is philosophical, psychological, and dramatic.

Meanwhile, After Yang's filmmaking is equally poised. The effects are sleek and supportive, adding fantastical touches to the subdued atmosphere. The music is tranquil and ambient, harmonizing the tone. The production blends naturalistic with futuristic, creating a relatable and optimistic world. The sound is peacefully environmental with dashes of technological. Plus, the cinematography is still and picturesque, subtly emphasizing simplicity. The visuals also utilize spacing, colors, and focus to suggest meaning. Lastly, the editing pairs calm pacing with abstract repetition, signifying importance. Overall, After Yang is a carefully crafted, substantial journey. It requires patience, but this film strikes a chord.

Writing: 9/10 Direction: 10/10 Cinematography: 9/10 Acting: 9/10 Editing: 10/10 Sound: 9/10 Score/Soundtrack: 8/10 Production Design: 9/10 Casting: 8/10 Effects: 8/10

Overall Score: 8.9/10.

Something was missing!

[khalidmoubile · 6/10 · 4 June 2022]

Yung is an A. I helper in a family, that unexpectedly breaks down. Jake, the Android buyer, is trying to repair Yang, leading him to know a lot about his family connections and about Androids too.

I'm a sci-fi lover, I enjoy the futuristic worlds, this one was disappointing a bit .

There's absolutely nothing in that world that can make it look futuristic, besides the Android, that looked like a human in a disturbing way.

But, they had the idea, the story was everything about this film, they didn't try to make us surprised using good visuals or something, it was very very simple.

This movies deals with two major issues, human's privacy that an android threaten and how a family will looks like with Android members in it, how that can effect a little child.

Colin Farrell did great as I expected, the performances weren't that special to be honest, but they did the job.

Finally, it's confusing how you can not make a difference between a human and a robot in this movie, not even in how they move or how they talk!

Beautiful!

[suuronenmiro · 9/10 · 29 January 2022]

Absolutely loved this film.

So beautiful in many ways.

Unique science fiction drama with so much heart.

Very emotional.

Great story about loss, grief and technology.

Story about passions and human life too.

It's clear that After Yang is set in future but it isn't really shown or said lot in film itself.

Great performances.

Colin Farrel was really good.

It was also really great to see Haley Lu Richardson working with Kogonada again.

Beautiful looking film too.

Really great cinematography.

I probably need to see this film again to fully appreciate everything.

Beautiful experience.

slow

[pm-98002 · 6/10 · 10 March 2022]

Colin Farrell and JTS are both good to look at. An interesting story but it's a bit too slow ... and bit too weird. Kept waiting for something to happen. Lovely music and a cool futuristic setting.

Pretentious and boring

[El_Jefe · 4/10 · 9 March 2022]

Is everyone but the little girl a robot? Colin Farrell and Jodie Turner-Smith have zero chemistry or appearance of a meaningful relationship. They don't seem like parents. They seem like robot care-takers, like in Raised by Wolves.

The Sci-Fi elements are... dumb. Like the utterly pointless scene of Farrell trying to guess the right sequence of command words to an AI in a world with completely sentient robots. Make up your mind, can AI in this world understand natural human speech, or can it not? It all feels very "Boomer".

This is the worst thing I've ever seen connected to A24.

The aesthetics are incredible

[thejdrage · 10/10 · 4 March 2022]

The literal softness of the film is incredible ......... it floats you along in an Asian world you wished you lived in and gives you a story - ever so quietly - along the way.

And then it ends! And you're back in your reality! OH NO!

Join the ride!

Requires your full attention

[jerzyThe2nd · 6/10 · 5 March 2022]

Don't even start with it, if you are planning to watch it with breaks.

If you cannot find 2h to fully commit, this movie won't indulge you enough.

It is slow, beautiful and quiet. No special moments of extraordinary lines or action turns. Slow pace all the time, almost like a meditaion.

somnolent

[msalkin-46677 · 3/10 · 5 March 2022]

When I check to see how much time is left in a movie, I know it's a stinker. "Profound, sincere, beautiful, meaningful, contemplative, etc." lose their meaning when one's asleep.