Prototype is a new horror film offering plenty of suspense in the second half. Roger Marshall (Jamie Robertson) owns a robotics firm and is developing androids with human traits and the ability to assist people with everyday tasks. Roger’s family is recruited to test the androids. While the first android Zero was disbanded after murdering a staff member at the company, the next prototype One (Luke Robertson) is a success and is living with the Marshall family.
One, a male android, performs household duties for Roger’s wife Shelley (Danielle Scott), plays with daughter Andy (Marshall Hawkes), and looks out for Roger’s teenage son Michael (Tom Taplin). Andy likes One and considers One a playmate and part of the family; Michael is wary of One and is mean to the android. Programmed with social skills, One can sense anxiety and tries to remediate any tense situation.
For example, Roger is verbally abusive toward his wife, and, when One notes Shelley’s rapid heartbeat and uneven breathing, he tells Andy they should play in another room. One seems to sense anger and fear. One is social but literal, and Andy teases the android about his exactness.
Roger and his assistant Graham (Andrew Rolfe) invent the second prototype Two (Zoe Purdy). This female android contains even more features than One and is sent to Roger’s house for testing. It’s immediately apparent that Two is the evil android who wants control over humans.
First, Two takes control of One while it is charging; Two opens a flap on One’s neck and alters One’s code. Two murders several people who approach Roger’s house. Both Michael and Shelley become aware of Two’s menacing behavior and meet with Graham behind Roger’s back to obtain ways to alter Two’s code. Suspense mounts as Shelley and her children try to deal with the malevolent android.
Directed by Jack Peter Mundy, this sci-fi film asks whether androids can exhibit ethical traits, and, as the inventor Graham (Andrew Rolfe) states: “they would need a conscience for that." The music in this thriller is eerie and chilling at the appropriate times, adding to the suspense. Rather than robots, actors are used for the androids and the androids’ creepy faces add to the horror. This science-fiction film is a strong optional purchase for feature film collections or home video libraries.
What kind of film series would this feature film fit in?
Prototype would fit well in a film program with other science fiction films that contain mystery or suspense such as I, Robot.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
Prototype would be suitable for science fiction or horror film collections in public libraries.
What public library shelves would this title be on?
Prototype could be shelved with feature films and within the subcategory of thriller or horror films.