Bicentennial Man
An android household servant pursues freedom, creativity, and human identity across two centuries of technological and emotional change.
Overview
An android's quest for humanity leads to profound discoveries about love and freedom.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sentimental
- wistful
- earnest
- thoughtful family viewing
- science fiction night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film ambitious and emotionally sincere but undermined by a dull, sentimental script and dawdling pacing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Andrew develops emotions, creative thought, relationships, and a desire to be recognized as human rather than as a household appliance.
Andrew attempts to stop his creators from destroying him while pursuing freedom from his programmed status and imposed conformity.
Andrew's life and times extend across two centuries, allowing the story to track technological and personal transformation over generations.
Andrew begins in a metallic robot suit and gradually adopts more human physical and expressive forms as his identity evolves.
Films like Bicentennial Man, and why
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Shared science fiction drama about an artificial being seeking humanity, emotional identity, and social acceptance.
The Iron Giant
Shared warm, philosophical science fiction tone centered on a nonhuman intelligence developing emotional and moral consciousness.
Blade Runner
Shared android-centered exploration of personhood, freedom, conformity, and the boundary between machine and human.
The Time Traveler's Wife
Shared sentimental speculative romance about technology, mortality, and the desire to become fully human.
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Columbus
- Release Date
- 1999-12-17
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (4073)
Cast
- Robin Williams
- Embeth Davidtz
- Sam Neill
- Oliver Platt
- Kiersten Warren
- Wendy Crewson
- Hallie Eisenberg
- Lindze Letherman
- Angela Landis
- John Michael Higgins
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bicentennial Man about?
- An android household servant pursues freedom, creativity, and human identity across two centuries of technological and emotional change.
- What is Bicentennial Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bicentennial Man as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Bicentennial Man violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Bicentennial Man.
- What did critics think of Bicentennial Man?
- Critics generally found the film ambitious and emotionally sincere but undermined by a dull, sentimental script and dawdling pacing.
- Which films are like Bicentennial Man?
- Films with a similar feel include A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Iron Giant, Blade Runner, and The Time Traveler's Wife.
- How long is Bicentennial Man?
- Bicentennial Man runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bicentennial Man?
- In United States, Bicentennial Man is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
