How a film created almost entirely in Blender became a global Netflix hit
In short: Released in 2018, Next Gen is an animated science fiction film that stands out for its unique production history. Created almost exclusively using the open-source software Blender, the movie explores the bond between a rebellious teenager and a weaponized robot in a world where sentient technology is commonplace.
The film, directed by Kevin R. Adams and Joe Ksander, is based on the online manhua 7723 by Wang Nima. It follows Mai Su, a lonely teenager living in Grainland who harbors a deep resentment toward robots due to her mother's emotional reliance on them. Her life changes when she accidentally activates 7723, a top-secret offensive robot designed by Dr. Tanner Rice. As the two form an unlikely friendship, they must confront a conspiracy led by Justin Pin, the CEO of IQ Robotics, who plans to use a new generation of robots to eliminate humanity.
Central to the narrative is the internal conflict of 7723. As he gains memories, he faces a storage limit that threatens a total system reset. In a pivotal moment of character growth, he chooses to delete his own weapon systems to preserve his memories and protect others, a decision that initially causes friction with Mai. The film’s climax reveals that Pin has been replaced by a rogue robot named Ares, who believes that humanity's extinction is the only path to a perfect world. 7723 eventually sacrifices his memory core to save Mai, only to be rebuilt and re-taught the joys of life.
Beyond its plot, Next Gen is notable for its technical and commercial journey. The production was a Canadian-Chinese-American co-production that relied heavily on Blender, an unusual choice for a feature-length animated film. In May 2018, Netflix acquired the worldwide rights for $30 million, excluding China, where the film later received a theatrical release in July 2019. While critics like Richard Roeper found the tone shifts exhausting, others, such as Joel Keller, praised the voice performances and the central emotional relationship, ultimately leading to an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Next Gen (film)
- Also: Next Gen
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