Portia Doubleday on the phone in an office in Mr. Robot
Sprawling space operas and high-concept dystopias have long defined the sci-fi genre. However, one subgenre — cyberpunk — deserves equal credit for delivering some of its most vital storytelling while simplifying our understanding of modern technology and its grip on our lives.
With its coverage of hacking culture, digital surveillance, and the fragile line between identity and control, the subgenre has long served as a mirror to our increasingly connected world. However, only a few shows have truly nailed the concept. Now, one widely regarded as essential viewing has become more easily accessible than ever. Over the years, several series have explored the cyberpunk space, each bringing its own perspective to the genre. Black Mirror, heavily inspired by cyberpunk, leaned into anthology storytelling to examine the dark consequences of technological dependence, while HBO's Westworld also explored the dark side of tech, blurring the lines between artificial intelligence and human consciousness. On the film side, The Matrix franchise helped define the visual and philosophical language of the genre for mainstream audiences. Then came 2015, when Sam Esmail brought us an impressively grounded entry in Mr. Robot. The series, led by Rami Malek, scored top marks for its grounded, realistic approach, earning the approval of real-life hackers and a slew of awards along the way. For those new to it, the synopsis reads: "Young, anti-social computer programmer Elliot works as a cybersecurity engineer during the day, but at night he is a vigilante hacker. He is recruited by the mysterious leader of an underground group of hackers to join their organization. Elliot's task? Help bring down corporate America, including the company he is paid to protect, which presents him with a moral dilemma. Although he works for a corporation, his personal beliefs make it hard to resist the urge to take down the heads of multinational companies that he believes are running -- and ruining -- the world." Mr. Robot concluded its four-season run in 2019, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Its distinct, niche appeal quickly earned it a devoted cult following that has remained loyal in the years since. The series holds an impressive 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Season 1 consensus describing it as “a suspenseful cyber-thriller with timely stories and an intriguing, provocative premise.” Since then, the show has continued to find success on streaming services, recruiting even more into its"nerd cult." Currently available on Netflix and across PVOD platforms, Mr. Robot is set to expand its reach even further, becoming available to stream for free on Tubi starting April 1. Related Solve the Whodunnit in TV's Best Mystery Show Today With Collider's TV Quiz Do you know Only Murders like the back of your Arconia? We're about to find out, as you piece together the facts of this quizzical case. Posts By Macklen Makhloghi What Else To Watch If You Love 'Mr. Robot' For fans of Mr. Robot seeking similarly cerebral, unsettling storytelling, a good option that is proving even more popular is Apple TV's smash hit series Severance. The series stars Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an office worker who undergoes a controversial procedure that surgically separates his work and personal memories. As his “innie” navigates the eerie corporate world of Lumon Industries alongside colleagues played by Britt Lower, John Turturro, and Zach Cherry, the boundaries between both lives begin to unravel in increasingly disturbing ways. Other worthy mentions include Homecoming, which also deals with institutional secrecy; Devs, which explores philosophical tech paranoia; and international hits like Dark and Utopia, which also capture that same sense of unease, blending conspiracy, mystery, and existential dread in ways Mr. Robot fans will appreciate. Mr. Robot Like Follow Followed TV-MA Crime Drama Thriller Release Date 2015 - 2019 Network USA Network Showrunner Sam Esmail Directors Jim McKay, Christoph Schrewe, Niels Arden Oplev, Nisha Ganatra, Tricia Brock Writers Sam Esmail, Adam Penn, Randolph Leon, Kor Adana, Robbie Pickering, Lucy Teitler, Kate Erickson Cast See All
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