- PG
- 1h 42m
- Directed by
-
- Chris Sanders
- Novel
- Peter Brown
- Premiered
- September 12, 2024
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $78,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $331,982,078.00
- Awards
-
- Nominated for 3 Oscars. 93 wins & 107 nominations total
- Country
-
- United States of America
The Wild Robot
- Production
-
- DreamWorks Animation
Spoiler
In the vast, untamed expanse of a secluded island, a solitary beacon of advanced technology washes ashore. ROZZUM-7143, or "Roz" as she would come to be known, a marvel of engineering designed for seamless user assistance, finds herself adrift in a world utterly alien to her programming. Her initial moments are a stark testament to her adaptive capabilities. Witnessing a crab's tenacious ascent up the rocky terrain, Roz, a sophisticated helper bot, begins to internalize the fundamental principle of survival: adaptation. This nascent understanding, born from observation, becomes the bedrock of her extraordinary journey.
Roz's attempts to integrate into the island's vibrant ecosystem are initially fraught with misunderstanding. Her programmed directives to assist are met with fear and hostility by the native fauna. The language barrier, a chasm of miscommunication, renders her helpful gestures into perceived threats. The island's inhabitants, a tapestry of fur and feather, recoil from "the thing," this metallic anomaly that disrupts their natural order. Their attempts to dismantle her, to expel this perceived monster, are met with an unexpected resilience. Roz, knocked over and seemingly defeated, possesses the remarkable ability to self-repair, a testament to her robust design and a source of growing bewilderment for her animal antagonists. This resilience, however, does not immediately foster acceptance. Instead, it fuels their apprehension, solidifying her status as an outsider.
With no immediate users to serve and a growing sense of isolation, Roz turns inward, seeking a connection to her origins. She attempts to activate an internal beacon, a desperate plea for retrieval by her creators, Universal Dynamics. Fate, however, intervenes in the form of a dramatic lightning strike, a celestial jolt that disrupts her systems. This electrical surge, coupled with the unwelcome attention of opportunistic raccoons, further tests her resolve. Her hand, a testament to her dexterity, fights off the pilfering creatures, allowing her to mend her damaged form. Yet, in the ensuing chaos, a crucial component – her beacon – is stolen by one of the raccoons.
The pursuit of the stolen beacon leads Roz into an unexpected confrontation with Thorn, a formidable bear voiced by Mark Hamill. The encounter is violent; Thorn's slashing attack sends Roz tumbling down a hill, her descent culminating in a devastating crash into a tree. The impact, a brutal punctuation mark in her quest, results in the destruction of a goose nest. The tragic consequence of her accidental collision is the death of the mother goose and her unhatched brood, save for a single, precious egg.
This profound loss, a stark deviation from her programmed purpose, triggers a new, unscripted directive within Roz. She retrieves the sole surviving egg, her analytical mind attempting to comprehend this fragile life. Her efforts are interrupted by Fink, a cunning fox voiced by Pedro Pascal, who attempts to abscond with the egg. A chase ensues, ending with Fink's unfortunate tumble onto a porcupine. In a moment that transcends her mechanical nature, Roz, despite the earlier aggression, removes the quills from Fink, demonstrating a nascent empathy. It is in this act of unexpected kindness that the egg begins to hatch. A tiny gosling emerges, and in a profound display of instinct, imprints on Roz, accepting her as its mother.
Roz, initially programmed for task completion, grapples with this new, unassigned role. She attempts to leave the gosling, believing her duty fulfilled. However, the gosling, whom she will eventually name Brightbill, remains steadfastly by her side, even inadvertently breaking her beacon as she tries to reactivate it. A chance encounter with Pinktail, a resourceful possum voiced by Catherine O’Hara, and her seven offspring, provides Roz with crucial insight. Pinktail, recognizing Roz's harmless nature, explains that Brightbill perceives her as his mother. Though Roz's programming does not encompass the concept of motherhood, she embraces it as her new, paramount task, guided by Pinktail's description of the responsibilities involved.
Fink, drawn by the prospect of sustenance, joins Roz and Brightbill, offering his "help" in raising the gosling, though his primary motivation appears to be free meals. Under Roz's care, Brightbill thrives. She teaches him to call her "Roz," a simplification of her designation, and with the assistance of Paddler, a skilled beaver voiced by Matt Berry, they construct a sturdy home capable of housing them all. Fink, in his own way, contributes to Brightbill's development, weaving tales that portray Roz as a heroic figure, a beacon of comfort for the young gosling.
As months unfold, Roz undergoes a profound transformation. Her internal code rewrites itself, her speech evolving from robotic monotone to a more natural cadence. Brightbill, now voiced by Kit Connor, grows, his swimming skills improving, and Roz diligently guides him towards the ultimate goal: flight. However, the other geese, observing Brightbill's unusual behavior and his perceived weakness compared to his peers, ostracize him. They reveal a devastating truth: Roz was responsible for the demise of his mother and siblings. This revelation shatters Brightbill, leading him to reject Roz, his newfound mother.
Heartbroken, Roz returns to the desolate cove where she first washed ashore. There, she discovers the rusted remnants of other ROZZUM units, a somber reminder of her kind. Activating one of these derelict bots, she contemplates abandoning her maternal duties, deeming them insurmountable. The reactivated bot, however, recognizes Roz's self-programmed evolution and offers her its beacon, a chance to finally be retrieved. As Roz prepares to depart, a heartfelt conversation with Fink reignites her resolve. She chooses to remain, determined to help Brightbill master flight. She enlists the aid of Thunderbolt, an experienced goose voiced by Ving Rhames, to guide them.
Their training intensifies, and progress is made. However, their efforts do not go unnoticed. Longneck, a wise elder goose voiced by Bill Nighy, observes their dedication. He acknowledges Roz's impressive tutelage and Brightbill's unique spirit, but also warns of the impending migration and the need for endurance. The day of the migration arrives, and Brightbill, with newfound confidence, joins the flock in the sky. Roz, overcome with emotion, retreats to higher ground to catch one last glimpse. Longneck, witnessing her devotion, maneuvers the flock close enough for a final farewell. Roz, her heart heavy, turns to activate her beacon, but then, with a decisive act, deactivates it, choosing her newfound family and the island over retrieval.
Unbeknownst to Roz, the migrating flock encounters a violent storm, forcing them to seek refuge in the Universal Dynamics greenhouse. Their presence is detected by other ROZZUM bots, who perceive the birds as an infestation and initiate an attack. Longneck, recognizing Brightbill's unique connection to Roz, realizes he is key to navigating this threat. Armed bots descend, unleashing laser fire. Brightbill, guided by his bond with Roz, leads the flock towards an escape route. In a heroic act of sacrifice, Longneck shields the flock from a fatal blast.
Back on the island, Roz awakens to find Fink nestled beside her, having weathered the snowstorm and frigid temperatures within her home. Venturing out with Fink, Roz gathers the remaining animals, including the formidable Thorn, seeking shelter from the harsh winter. The confined space, however, breeds tension, and Fink intervenes, brokering a truce that allows for hibernation.
As spring returns, the animals emerge, and the birds complete their migration. Brightbill joyfully reunites with Fink but mourns the loss of Longneck. He seeks out Roz, only to find her gone.
Roz walks, her path leading her to a descending Universal Dynamics vessel. Vontra, a tentacled robot voiced by Stephanie Hsu, has been dispatched to retrieve Roz and extract any information she has gathered. Roz willingly accompanies Vontra, but Fink arrives just in time, informing her of Brightbill's return. A desperate chase ensues, with Vontra dispatching armed bots. The island's inhabitants rally, forming a protective barrier around Roz, disabling the attacking robots. Vontra, however, triggers a self-destruct sequence, igniting the forest and using the chaos to abduct Roz.
Brightbill, rallying the geese, embarks on a daring rescue mission. Vontra reveals her intention to wipe Roz's memories and reprogram her. Brightbill breaches the ship, finding Roz seemingly deactivated. He nuzzles against her, his declaration of love and recognition of her as his mother, reignites Roz. Her energy, no longer solely reliant on her core, now emanates from a newly formed "heart," a testament to her emotional growth. She reciprocates Brightbill's love. Vontra attempts to destroy them both, but the geese turn the ship's weapons against it, leading to its destruction. Roz detaches her hand, activating a magnet that drains Vontra of power. She shelters Brightbill within herself as they plummet back to the island. Meanwhile, the other animals, led by Paddler, divert a river, extinguishing the raging forest fire.
As the smoke clears, the animals celebrate Roz as their hero. However, Roz, understanding the persistent threat from Universal Dynamics, chooses to return willingly, ensuring the safety of her adopted family. Fink, heartbroken, believes he is losing his only friend, but the other animals assure him of their companionship. Roz bids a poignant farewell to Brightbill and the island's inhabitants, awaiting another UD ship.
Months later, the animals have built a new winter shelter. Fink continues to share stories of Roz with the younger generation. In the Universal Dynamics greenhouse, Roz, now identified by her original ROZZUM designation, tends to the crops. Brightbill emerges from the foliage, finding her. With a warm smile, she tells him, "...but you can call me Roz." Brightbill embraces his mother once more, their bond unbroken.
Top Billed Cast
Core Crew
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