Warning! This article contains spoilers for Love, Death + Robots Volume 4’s episode 1, “Can’t Stop”
Love, Death + RobotsVolume 4’s “Can’t Help” episode, which features a live Red Hot Chili Peppers performance, may be deeper in meaning than most viewers realize. Since Netflix’sLove, Death + Robotshas always followed an anthology format, with each of its episodes featuring a standalone story, it has always received a mixed response from viewers and critics. While some of its episodes have earned high praise for their animation styles, production quality, and incredible storytelling, others have received mixed reactions from audiences.
In theNetflix sci-fi show’s volume 4, a similar trend can be observed. However, more than any other episode, there is one that has been receiving far more hate than the others because of its lack of narrative depth. The episode in question is volume 4’s episode 1, “Can’t Stop,” which only features a live Red Hot Chili Peppers performance in its short runtime. While it is understandable where the criticism of the episode is coming from, it is crucial to understand its hidden meaning before drawing any conclusions about its overall quality.
Love Death + Robots' “Can’t Stop” Episode Symbolizes Manipulation By The Entertainment Industry
The Band Members Are Portrayed As Puppets
While some might argue that the “Can’t Stop” episode merely comes off as a promotion for Red Hot Chili Peppers, a closer look at some of its finer details suggests it means more than that. Each band member in the music video is portrayed as a puppet, with a bunch of strings controlling their movements. The episode never reveals the hands that control the strings, but it seems likethe puppets serve as solid metaphors for the stronghold production companies have on artists and their music.
The episode seemingly chose RHCP’s most viral song in the episode because it particularly captures how artistic expression can often be both celebrated and heavily commodified. There are also several moments in the music video where the band members are also aggressively jerked from one place to another, almost as if they are moving against their will. This seems to signify their loss of control and artistic freedom in an industry that is heavily driven by algorithms and numbers.
…TheLove, Death + RobotsVolume 4 episode seemingly tries to show how, in the entertainment industry, almost everyone unknowingly becomes a puppet to something larger and unseen.
Even the spectators in the audience are portrayed as puppets, seeminglyhighlighting the symbiotic relationship between creators and consumers. While artists dance to the beats of their cash-hungry producers, consumers mindlessly and obsessively fall for the well-thought-out traps laid out by the industry. All in all, theLove, Death + RobotsVolume 4 episodeseemingly tries to show how, in the entertainment industry, almost everyone unknowingly becomes a puppet to something larger and unseen.
Some viewers have also argued that the episode does not really have a deeper meaning. Like many previous episodes of the series, it was only made because its creator thought it would be a fun idea. Viewers familiar with Red Hot Chili Peppers and their music have also agreed that it is a fun addition to the series and does not necessarily require the story to be appealing. However, audiences who do not particularly like RHCP’s music or have never heard their songs have expressed how alienated they felt from the episode’s storytelling — or lack thereof.
David Fincher Has Directed Numerous Music Videos Before “Can’t Stop”
Before Movies, The Director Helmed Many Music Videos
With several highly acclaimed and commercially successful movies likeThe Social Network,Fight Club,Zodiac, andGone Girlunder his belt, it is not surprising that David Fincher is best known for his work in movies. However, long before he made his feature film directorial debut with 1992’sAlien 3, he directed several iconic music videos,including Justin Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie," Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and “Vogue,” and even Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up."
Through the music video in Love, Death + Robots Volume 4’s opening episode, Fincher hoped to capture the work of 80s music auteurs like Wayne Isham and Russell Mulcahy. Recalling some of the early days of his professional career, Fincher also said (viaSeattle Times) thathe started “by asking for forgiveness rather than permission, and it’s been very difficult to go the other direction.”His statement seems to be reflected in theLove, Death + Robotsepisode, where he showcases both narrative and visual boldness while highlighting how external forces keep holding him back from reaching his creative potential.
Why Love, Death + Robots' “Can’t Stop” Episode Is So Divisive
The Episode Does Not Exactly Fit Into The Series' Overarching Themes
From a visual standpoint,Love, Death + Robotsis about innovative storytelling through the animation medium. Therefore, when it comes to visual style and aesthetics, “Can’t Stop” undoubtedly aligns with what the show stands for. However, when it comes to storytelling, “Can’t Stop” almost seems to have nothing going on for itself. It does not revolve around love, death, or robots in any way and leaves viewers questioning its relevance to the show’s overarching themes.
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A common complaint surrounding the episode is thatit does not even try to be anything more than an RHCP music video. Many viewers were expecting it to introduce twists and turns as it progressed. Others even hoped that it would feature something unexpected towards the end of its runtime, like many acclaimedLove, Death + Robotsepisodes. Unfortunately, the episode never truly peaks and remains nothing more than an animated version of an RHCP live performance.
Its Divisive Response Proves Its Experimental Approach Did Not Work Too Well
Image via Netflix
“Can’t Stop” has been getting a lot of hate, but it is not the first episode inLove, Death + Robotsto experiment with style over substance. Even in terms of storytelling, many episodes in theoriginal Netflix sci-fiseries have previously been significantly abstract, leaving viewers wondering what they truly mean. Considering the negative response to the episode, its experimental approach clearly did not land too well. However, one can still appreciate how it dares to bring something new to the table and expand the narrative avenues that can be explored through the animation medium.
DID YOU KNOW: Episodes likeBeyond the Aquila Rift(2019) andZima Blue(2019) fromLove, Death + Robots' opening season are actually based on Alastair Reynolds’s bookZima Blue and Other Stories.
With all the negative reviews, “Can’t Stop” will likely rank among the less enjoyable installments of the franchise. It still deserves some credit for pushing the boundaries of what an episode ofLove, Death + Robotscan be. Future episodes in the series could also learn from the Volume 4 installment and avoid being too experimental at the cost of substance. After the episode’s negative feedback, the Netflix show can also avoid opening its future seasons that could potentially generate mixed reactions from viewers and feature some of the better episodes at the beginning of a season.
Love, Death & Robots
Cast
Love, Death & Robots is an anthology series released in 2019, presenting a collection of animated stories curated by Tim Miller and David Fincher. Each episode explores diverse genres, featuring terrifying creatures, unexpected twists, and elements of dark comedy.
