What happens when robots bypass their safety protocols?

If you missed its theatrical run or festival circuit, Mars Express is the latest triumph in adult animation. Directed by Jérémie Périn (of Lastman fame), the film is a neo-noir detective story set on a colonized Mars. It follows private investigator Aline Ruby and her android partner as they hunt down a notorious hacker, unravelling a conspiracy that threatens the fragile coexistence of humans and robots.

While the technical specs are impressive, the film itself is a philosophical heavy-hitter. It echoes the DNA of Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner but adds a modern French flair. It explores: