DIVE INTO THE FASCINATING WORLD OF “SUNNY” ON APPLE TV
In the futuristic setting of near-future Japan, Apple TV’s “Sunny” brings together an unusual duo in a gripping tale. Grieving widow Suzie Sakamoto, portrayed by Rashida Jones, partners with the titular robot to unravel the mysterious disappearance of her husband and son in a tragic plane crash. Sounds lackluster, right?
But don’t be fooled. “Sunny” is a delightful surprise. Across the three episodes currently available, the show seamlessly blends elements of gory violence, dark and silly humor, a quirky aesthetic, contemplative reflections on loss, and insightful commentary on technology’s impact on our fears and desires. Jones shines as the expat American who unexpectedly finds love in Japan with the kind-hearted Masa, played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, and together they have a son named Zen.
Following their sudden disappearance, Suzie receives a “homebot,” Sunny, from her late husband’s employers, a tech company where Masa worked as a refrigeration engineer. Or so she thought. As she delves deeper, she discovers that Masa may have kept secrets from her, including programming Sunny specifically for her needs.
Despite her aversion to technology, Suzie initially rebuffs Sunny’s efforts to connect with her, much like she ignores the criticisms from her mother-in-law Noriko. But as she uncovers more about Masa’s work and his sudden disappearance, she realizes that Sunny might hold the key to uncovering a dark conspiracy.
Assisted by Mixxy, a cocktail-bar waitress portrayed by singer-songwriter Annie the Clumsy, Suzie navigates the complexities of her relationship with Sunny and delves into the underground world of bot-hacking. However, she soon realizes she’s being watched by a menacing criminal gang led by the enigmatic Hime, who seems to have ties to Masa as well.
With a gripping narrative and a talented Japanese cast, “Sunny” is a slow-burn thriller expertly guided by showrunner Katie Robbins. Despite its intricate plotlines, Robbins skillfully avoids confusion and keeps viewers engaged as the story unfolds, weaving together familiar elements from various genres into a truly unique experience.