The Mitchells Vs. The Machines: The Critique About Technology

entertainment · 5 min
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The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a beautiful movie with various types of art styles, family-themed, and has queer representation with funny characters. And while I want to give more reasons to watch the movie, I’d like to talk about something else- the critique it offers about technology.

Throughout the movie, we see the family theme focus on the father and daughter with Rick and Katie since their relationship isn’t that great. It is known through a series of photos that they don’t get along, and later we understand that technology is the problem since she always has her phone in her hand. 

However, Katie is a filmmaker which we see when they go on their family road trip. She experiences joy in the opportunity in making their story into a memorable film.

But her father has no interest in her passion, which is the main source of their conflict since she listens to her dad’s own interests with nature, making her excited to go to film school to be around people who understand her. So even though it seems like technology ruins relationships, that’s actually not the case. 

But the movie sets up this argument in a nuanced way with it depending on how technology is used instead. Filmmaking means a lot to Katie, but her dad never saw any of her films since he didn’t understand their importance until someone told him her films make them laugh and help cope with their sadness, which is a similar reason why Katie loves movies, “I never fit in, for lots of reasons. But movies were always there for me.” 

And to help people this way, technology is required, which allows Rick not to get mad at Mark. When Rick is captured during the robot uprising, he sits next to Mark, who he tells sorry about since he was responsible for it. But because of the art, Katie was able to make, he tells him, “If what you built helped my daughter do that, it might not be all bad.”

Though, of course, there are some downsides. When Katie is not filming, when she’s simply on her phone talking to friends in one scene, her dad approaches her wanting to hike, but Katie turns down the offer, leaving him sad. But technology isn’t the problem here. Her priority is friendships, but that isn’t bad either. 

While it’s tempting to blame her or technology, we have to remember that Katie doesn’t feel understood, so she likes talking to her new friends who have the same passion.

This scene also happens after her movie montage, showing she has spent a lot of time with him already. Yet, it’s still saddening to see since he’s trying hard to fix their relationship even though the answer is for him to engage with her passion.

Then there’s the plot of robots taking over the earth, which is ironically funny considering that robot takeovers are an element placed in apocalyptic dystopian stories since it’s a genuine concern people have about technology. It’s especially interesting because the takeover was initiated by an IA named Pal and her relationship issues with her creator Mark. 

He had designed Pal as personal assistance to connect people to their friends and family. This sounds a lot like Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Bixby, and more, because it is. But the movie goes on to make fun of tech companies' unnecessary advancements since Mark redesigns Pal as a robot that will cook and clean for you called Pal Max. 

This undoubtedly displays human laziness and scientific misdirection, since there can be other types of advancements that would actually be beneficial. With that said, the scene emphasizes that technology isn’t a problem, it’s what is created and how it’s used.

Yet because Pal feels betrayed and angry for being tossed away, she gets rid of humans thinking relationships are worthless since you’ll just get thrown away after being useful.

While these are her personal feelings, she explains how humans do this to each other by saying how 90% of calls from mom are ignored, “Oh, thanks for giving birth to me and raising me my whole life. Ignore.” 

This is even elaborated further when Pal exposes Katie's fakeness towards her father about needing him, since she simply said what he wanted to hear to get her life back so she could get away from her family, “Oh, I… I was just telling him what he wants to hear.

I didn’t mean a word of that. I just wanna get my future back and get away forever.” With that said, technology doesn’t create distance, people do. 

So if you're on good terms, technology brings people together. At the end of the film, when Rick realizes the value of filmmaking to Katie and others, he learns how to use a computer and follows his daughter on YouTube, making Katie feel the most loved.

This then mends their relationship, making Katie stay in contact with her family through video chat, which is something she wouldn’t have done at the beginning of the movie when her dad didn’t understand her.

In other words, while there seems to be a generational gap between parents and kids these days because of technology, technology isn’t at fault for anything.

The distance between is created when neither person makes an effort to show they love and care about them through their love language.

For Rick, that’s doing things together in the outdoors, and for Katie, that’s watching her films. That required Rick to learn to use a computer, but his effort made Katie feel loved. 

So even though there’s a technological element involved in the love language of the new generation, simply trying to connect through it maintains and sustains a relationship with them since it means a lot to them.

Because in reality, if a relationship isn’t good or if there isn't effort, then whether in person or online, there’s going to be distance, and technology didn’t cause that.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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SolarFlareX commented SolarFlareX 2y ago

This film helped me understand why my kid spends so much time creating content. It's their way of connecting with the world.

4
AriannaM commented AriannaM 2y ago

The ending where Rick learns to engage with Katie's interests online really shows how technology can bridge generational gaps.

4
Hannah24 commented Hannah24 2y ago

Love that the solution wasn't abandoning technology or tradition, but finding ways to blend both.

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MindfulBeauty commented MindfulBeauty 2y ago

The way Katie uses technology for creative expression rather than just consumption is such an important distinction.

5
Isabella commented Isabella 2y ago

Found myself reflecting on my own family's technology habits after watching this. We could probably find better balance.

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BigBrother_Addict_101 commented BigBrother_Addict_101 2y ago

This movie perfectly captures the generational divide in how we view and use technology.

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FlowState-Zen_07 commented FlowState-Zen_07 2y ago

The message about effort in relationships being more important than the medium of communication is so relevant today.

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Serena_Mystic commented Serena_Mystic 2y ago

Really felt for Rick when Katie ignored him for her phone, but also understood her need to connect with people who get her.

2
Andreeva_Analysis commented Andreeva_Analysis 2y ago

Appreciate how the film shows both positives and negatives of technology without taking an extreme stance.

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Positive_Energy_Only_69 commented Positive_Energy_Only_69 2y ago

This movie made me rethink how I view my teenagers' relationship with technology. Maybe I need to look deeper.

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SitcomRewatch_Addict commented SitcomRewatch_Addict 2y ago

The parallel between PAL feeling replaced and Katie feeling misunderstood is such clever storytelling.

5
VirtualMystic commented VirtualMystic 2y ago

It's funny how a movie about fighting robots has such a sophisticated take on modern family dynamics.

0
Lang_Ledger commented Lang_Ledger 2y ago

Love how the movie shows that real connection requires effort, whether it's in person or through a screen.

1
IsaacMurphy commented IsaacMurphy 2y ago

The film really nails the frustration of having your passions dismissed just because they involve new technology.

5
Freya-Lane commented Freya-Lane 2y ago

So true about technology being a tool for connection. My long-distance family relationships would be much harder without it.

8
PrimeTimeViewer commented PrimeTimeViewer 2y ago

Makes you think about how many family conflicts could be resolved if we just made an effort to understand each other's interests.

0
RadiateConfidence commented RadiateConfidence 2y ago

The way Rick learns to embrace Katie's world instead of fighting against it is such a powerful message for parents.

3
LyraJ commented LyraJ 2y ago

Interesting how the movie suggests that sometimes technology actually helps us express feelings we struggle to share in person.

3
NatalieXO commented NatalieXO 2y ago

The film does a great job showing how technology isn't good or bad on its own it's all about how we use it.

4
HufflepuffPower commented HufflepuffPower 2y ago

You can really feel Katie's frustration when her dad doesn't even try to understand why filmmaking matters to her.

3
AnimationAddict_300 commented AnimationAddict_300 2y ago

I think PAL's betrayal story is a clever way to show how disconnection and misunderstanding can happen in any relationship.

6
EveX commented EveX 2y ago

The movie perfectly captures how older generations often dismiss new technology without trying to understand its value.

1
SoulAligned_999 commented SoulAligned_999 2y ago

Watching this helped me understand why my daughter spends so much time creating content online. It's her way of expressing herself.

2
Mia-Jones commented Mia-Jones 2y ago

The scene where Rick finally understands the impact of Katie's films on others is such a powerful moment of growth.

7
VoiceActor_Vince commented VoiceActor_Vince 2y ago

Nobody talks about how the movie also shows the mom already understanding both perspectives and trying to help them connect.

8
Celine_Sunset commented Celine_Sunset 2y ago

That line about movies always being there for Katie really hit home. Sometimes our digital connections are just as meaningful as physical ones.

2
VibeWithNature commented VibeWithNature 3y ago

Really appreciated how the movie showed both Rick and Katie had to compromise to improve their relationship.

7
MandalorianFreak commented MandalorianFreak 3y ago

The way Katie uses technology to tell stories and connect with others shows how powerful these tools can be when used creatively.

8
Yvette_Luxe commented Yvette_Luxe 3y ago

I find it ironic how some parents complain about kids and phones while spending hours watching TV themselves.

8
GenesisOwens commented GenesisOwens 3y ago

This isn't just about technology it's about parents learning to value their kids' interests even when they don't understand them.

5
Broadway_Buff2025 commented Broadway_Buff2025 3y ago

The whole robot uprising plot is hilarious but also makes some serious points about our relationship with AI.

3
Fern_Spring commented Fern_Spring 3y ago

Made me think about how I react to my kids' screen time. Maybe I should focus more on what they're actually doing with that time.

6
RealityTVGuru commented RealityTVGuru 3y ago

The movie really captures that feeling of not being understood by your parents and finding your people online instead.

1
LucasParker commented LucasParker 3y ago

Loved seeing how Katie's filmmaking brought joy to others. It shows how creative uses of technology can build communities.

2
Lowry_Ledger commented Lowry_Ledger 3y ago

I challenge anyone who thinks technology only isolates people to watch this movie and then tell me what they think.

4
InnerLightShining commented InnerLightShining 3y ago

We need more stories like this that acknowledge how technology can be a tool for creativity and connection, not just distraction.

8
SacredSerenity commented SacredSerenity 3y ago

The way Rick learns to embrace technology to connect with Katie reminds me of my own dad learning to text just to stay in touch.

1
AstroFuturist commented AstroFuturist 3y ago

I think what makes this movie special is how it shows both the potential and pitfalls of technology without being preachy.

8
Fleming_Feature commented Fleming_Feature 3y ago

It's refreshing to see a movie that doesn't just blame phones for family problems. The issues usually run much deeper than that.

1
CultMovie_Kid commented CultMovie_Kid 3y ago

The ending where they use video chat to stay connected really hits home now after all the pandemic virtual family gatherings.

8
Stella_Wright commented Stella_Wright 3y ago

Totally agree about technology not being the real problem. I've seen families who barely speak while sitting in the same room, no phones involved.

8
EcoFriendly_Life_888 commented EcoFriendly_Life_888 3y ago

The film perfectly captures how frustrating it is when parents dismiss their kids' interests just because they don't understand them.

7
PaisleyMae commented PaisleyMae 3y ago

Love how the movie shows that bridging generational gaps often requires both sides to make an effort to understand each other.

0
Samantha_Queen commented Samantha_Queen 3y ago

The whole PAL Max upgrade story feels like a direct shot at companies always pushing smart home devices we don't really need.

1
AngelaT commented AngelaT 3y ago

That moment when Rick realizes Katie's films help people cope with sadness really changed my perspective on social media content creation.

2
Jasmine commented Jasmine 3y ago

I think people miss how the movie critiques both excessive tech dependence and tech resistance. Balance is key.

1
CrimeDramaSeriesBuff_777 commented CrimeDramaSeriesBuff_777 3y ago

The way Katie uses film to process her emotions and connect with others is beautiful. Sometimes technology is the bridge we need to express ourselves.

3
Jocasta_Lavender commented Jocasta_Lavender 3y ago

Watching this with my teenager sparked some really good conversations about our own technology use and communication styles.

6
DavidBrown commented DavidBrown 3y ago

The film makes such a good point about how each generation has their own love language. Sometimes it's just about learning to speak each other's language.

2
AutumnGibson commented AutumnGibson 3y ago

I actually found myself relating to PAL in some ways. Being replaced by a newer model is something many of us fear in different contexts.

5
ReeseB commented ReeseB 3y ago

My parents were just like Rick, suspicious of all my online activities. Wish they could have seen this movie when I was growing up.

2
Hibberd_Highlights commented Hibberd_Highlights 3y ago

The argument about technology ruining relationships feels outdated after watching this. It's not the tech, it's how we choose to engage with each other.

2
Aurora_Carter commented Aurora_Carter 3y ago

As someone working in tech, I appreciate how the movie critiques the industry while acknowledging technology's potential to bring people together.

8
Amina99 commented Amina99 3y ago

Everyone talks about the father-daughter relationship, but can we appreciate how the mom bridges the gap between them throughout the movie?

1
UrbanShadowX commented UrbanShadowX 3y ago

The scene where Katie turns down the hike to stay on her phone really resonated with me as a parent, but the movie helps us understand her perspective too.

3
Alexander-Jay commented Alexander-Jay 3y ago

I loved how the movie showed both sides of the tech debate without villainizing either perspective. That's pretty rare in modern storytelling.

4
LunaDreamer commented LunaDreamer 3y ago

The way Katie uses technology for creative expression rather than just consumption is such an important distinction the movie makes.

3
Rather_Report commented Rather_Report 3y ago

Interesting how the film suggests that technology isn't inherently isolating it's all about how we choose to use it.

1
AubrielleS commented AubrielleS 3y ago

This movie helped me understand my own relationship with my daughter better. We started watching her favorite YouTube channels together, and it's brought us closer.

7
VanessaMorris commented VanessaMorris 3y ago

The whole PAL storyline feels like a warning about AI development without proper consideration for consequences. We're literally living through that debate right now.

2
EDMHead commented EDMHead 3y ago

My favorite part was seeing Rick learning to use YouTube just to support Katie. That's what real love looks like sometimes pushing past our comfort zone for others.

7
DigitalPulseX commented DigitalPulseX 3y ago

Funny how a movie about killer robots ends up being one of the most nuanced takes on modern family relationships I've seen.

2
FilmAwardsNerd_99 commented FilmAwardsNerd_99 3y ago

The film really nails how different generations express love differently. My kids show they care through memes and texts, and that's just as valid as how I grew up showing affection.

7
Damian-Paul commented Damian-Paul 3y ago

I actually related more to Rick than Katie. It's hard watching your kids always on their phones, but I learned it's about understanding their world rather than fighting it.

6
Mindful-Decluttering_07 commented Mindful-Decluttering_07 3y ago

Can we talk about how accurate the film is about tech companies constantly pushing unnecessary upgrades? The PAL Max situation is literally every tech company ever.

1
FuturePhantom commented FuturePhantom 3y ago

The scene where Rick finally watches Katie's films and understands their impact on others made me tear up. Sometimes we're so quick to dismiss what we don't understand.

6
Blow_Brief commented Blow_Brief 3y ago

I disagree about PAL having a point. The movie shows that technology actually helps maintain relationships when used right. Look at how Katie stays in touch with her family at the end.

4
StarlitShadow commented StarlitShadow 3y ago

Am I the only one who thinks PAL had a point about how we treat relationships nowadays? That line about ignoring mom's calls hit pretty hard.

2
Heilemann_Highlights commented Heilemann_Highlights 3y ago

What struck me most was how Rick's journey wasn't about rejecting technology, but learning to embrace it as a way to connect with his daughter. That's such a powerful message.

0
JosephineX commented JosephineX 3y ago

The parallel between Katie's relationship with her dad and PAL's relationship with Mark is really clever storytelling. Both feel misunderstood and pushed aside.

8
Kroll_Keynotes commented Kroll_Keynotes 3y ago

I absolutely love how this movie tackles the tech debate without taking the easy route of just saying technology is bad for relationships. It's so much more nuanced than that.

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