A24's 'After Yang' sci-fi trailer questions what it means to be human

[NelsonG]

Examining our humanity through machines, androids, and replicants is a long-trodden path in sci-fi, but it's one littered with frantic, panicked portrayals inevitably leading to the singularity and our own constructed doom.

A24's After Yang is seemingly not that.

Based on a short story by Alexander Weinstein, the Kogonada-directed sci-fi drama centers around an android named Yang (Justin H. Min), who lives as part of a family in the not-too-distant future. He's a sibling for Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja), and basically a son to Jake (Colin Farrell) and Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith).

But when Yang malfunctions and won't restart, Jake scrambles to find ways to fix him. He might have to make some tough decisions — including those around memory, honesty, intention, and what it means to be human. The trailer, featuring music by ASKA, is simply beautiful.

Following its Sundance Film Festival premiere, After Yang will hit theaters and Showtime on March 4.

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