Sunny

It takes the automaton in “Sunny” to help reflect what makes us human. The new Apple TV+ series stars Rashida Jones and the titular robot, Sunny. They make a brilliantly mismatched duo. Jones plays Suzie, an American woman living in Japan. Catastrophe strikes when her husband and son disappear in a plane crash. Her husband’s employer, attempting to console her, gifts her a robot.

She is voiced by Joanna Sotomura, who brings a wealth of emotion to the role. That paired with the onscreen stand-in (who looks like Eve from “Wall-E” and Johnny 5 from “Short Circuit” melded together) and display animations give us one of the greatest non-human characters in a long time. Suzie’s husband, Masa, is played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, who exudes charm. 

Sunny Side of Life

Overall, Jones is the backbone of the series. Her ability to embody the acerbic humor of the character while still balancing the depths of her loss is impressive. There to balance out the more biting moments is Mixxy, a bartender Suzie takes up a friendship with. Played by singer-songwriter Annie the Clumsy, the trio of Mixxy, Suzie, and Sunny is reminiscent of many new fellowships. It’s fraught with envy, misunderstanding, and attachment. 

All perfectly normal human emotions, except then one is reminded that one third of the main characters is in fact, a robot. “Sunny” succeeds most in the design of the robots and the world. Most of the robotic characters feel just a generation off from what currently exists. Sets feel practical and lived in. Everyone on the show uses a smart device that looks like an old kodak camera merged with a Nintendo Switch. All the technology is cutting edge capabilities, peppered with a retro sensibility. Considering the series is on Apple TV+ we appreciate the choice to allow for less sleek machinery. 

As Suzie learns to accept (or at least stop trying to destroy) Sunny’s presence, we also get sent on a thrilling mystery trying to discover details surrounding the plane crash and Masa’s past. While Suzie struggles to hang onto her humanity, Sunny begins to process her own (if one can even call it that). The result is a powerful meditation connection, autonomy, and the lengths one will go to for love.

While at times the tone can swing quickly, and Jones’s Suzie can dip a bit too far into the sardonic, there is a deep vein of optimism that surprised us. You’ll find yourself wrapped up in the mystery, while finding interconnection in unexpected places. 

“Sunny” is streaming on Apple TV+ starting July 10, with new episodes dropping weekly.