Short Circuit (1986): Johnny 5 is ALIVE!

Ben and Rob plug into the charming chaos of Short Circuit (1986), the beloved sci-fi comedy about a military robot who accidentally gains self-awareness and discovers the joys and dangers of being alive. Starring Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens and the unforgettable Johnny Five, Short Circuit follows a runaway robot as he escapes government capture and learns about humanity through pop culture, friendship and an endless appetite for input.

Why has Short Circuit endured as one of the most lovable robot movies of the 1980s; how does the film balance slapstick comedy with surprisingly sincere questions about consciousness and personhood; and what is it about Johnny Five that made him such an instantly iconic screen character? How do Ally Sheedy’s warm performance and Steve Guttenberg’s affable energy ground a story filled with laser guns and pratfalls; what does the film get right, and very wrong, about technology and cultural representation; and how does Fisher Stevens’ performance fit into the conversation around Hollywood’s past casting choices? And finally, what does Short Circuit ultimately say about life, learning and empathy?

CONSUUUME to find out all this and much, much more!

PLUS! We have a Patreon with EXCLUSIVE content just for you starting at just ONE POUND a month - click the link below!

Find us on your socials of choice at www.linktr.ee/everymovieeverpodcast