---
title: "Brian and Charles"
year: 2022
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/brian-and-charles"
fi1m_id: "brian-and-charles"
imdb_id: "tt13270424"
tmdb_id: 913814
wikidata_id: "Q110903725"
fi1m_score: 74
critics_score: 69
critics_reviews: 23
published: "2026-10-03T02:41:49.878973+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-03T02:41:50.270179+00:00"
region: "NZ"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Brian and Charles (2022)

Directed by Jim Archer · 1h 31m · Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction

## Identity

Brian and Charles

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/brian-and-charles
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** brian-and-charles
- **IMDb ID:** tt13270424
- **TMDB ID:** 913814
- **Wikidata ID:** Q110903725
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13270424/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/913814, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110903725

**Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 69 from 23 reviews

*In a sentence:* A man builds himself a robot companion and discovers he has manufactured an argumentative teenager

> David Earl and Chris Hayward give this gentle robot comedy enough warmth and deadpan friction to overcome a thin supporting story. It is worth an evening, provided repeated bouts of eccentricity do not test the patience.

## Synopsis

On a farm, Brian (David Earl) builds himself a robot companion called Charles (Chris Hayward). Brian wants relief from loneliness, but his invention has a curiosity that requires more attention than he expects. Charles speaks in a synthesised voice, develops a taste for cabbage and starts learning about the world from his maker. Hazel (Louise Brealey) offers Brian the possibility of a tentative romance, alongside the company he has made for himself. As Charles becomes more inquisitive, Brian has to make room in his solitary life for someone with questions and preferences of his own.

## Review

*Brian and Charles* is a funny, kindly comedy whose central friendship is much better developed than the story around it. Jim Archer treats the notion of a lonely man building himself a robot companion with enough seriousness to make the silliness matter. The question is how much company Brian can bear once his invention starts behaving like somebody else. That is a sound basis for a small comedy, and David Earl and Chris Hayward, who also write the screenplay, give it an affectionate, argumentative life.

David Earl’s Brian needs companionship without quite knowing what to do with it. The performance catches the embarrassment of wanting a friend while having little practice at being one, and it does not ask us to regard him as a case study. His awkwardness is funny because David Earl allows it to be awkward, rather than repeatedly signalling that we should find it lovable. When the film concentrates on his dealings with Charles, the writing notices how much two people can find to disagree about without either having particularly good grounds for complaint.

Chris Hayward makes Charles expressive through movement and a voice that seems poorly equipped for expressing anything. The deadpan delivery gives the robot’s curiosity an edge: he wants to know things, and he is not necessarily impressed by the answers. We laughed at his synthesised backchat, particularly the adolescent certainty that Brian is being unreasonable. It is a good joke about parenthood, made better by the fact that the parent has built the person now answering him back.

Murren Tullet’s cinematography suits the homemade feel, though the mockumentary conceit remains loosely applied. The camera’s supposed presence never becomes particularly interesting in itself. Hannah Purdy Foggin’s production design helps the improbable robot belong in the farm setting, without competing with him for attention. Jo Walker’s editing gives the exchanges room to find their comic rhythm, but cannot disguise how often the film returns to the same joke. At 91 minutes, it is short enough to forgive that repetition, though we still notice it.

The trouble is what happens around the central pair. Louise Brealey gives Hazel a welcome delicacy, and the tentative romance is appealing when allowed to remain tentative. But Hazel is too thinly written to command the same interest as Brian and Charles, while the broader conflict has the dutiful feel of something added because a feature needs a plot. We keep waiting for the film to return to the two performances that make its familiar material worth watching.

Daniel Pemberton’s music is sympathetic to the film’s gentleness, although the sweetness can become insistent. Jim Archer is strongest when he trusts an odd voice, an ungainly movement or a slightly uncomfortable pause to carry the feeling. As science fiction, the film has little interest in technological grandeur, and that modesty is a virtue. Its robot is interesting because living with him takes some adjustment, and the comedy understands how affection can survive a considerable amount of irritation.

Choose it for a quiet evening, with some tolerance for repetition and an affection for people who struggle to talk to one another. There is no need to be particularly interested in robots. Enjoy the conversations, and forgive the rather obvious attempts to interrupt them.

*Fi1m score 74, published 3 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Brian and Charles a warm, funny comedy whose central friendship makes its modest story worth following. Praise centres on David Earl and Chris Hayward’s rapport, with Hayward’s physical performance and Charles’s deadpan digital voice drawing particular affection. The robot’s curiosity and growing cheekiness supply much of the humour, while Brian’s loneliness gives the companionship an emotional weight that several reviews find quietly touching.

The reservations concern how far that relationship can carry a feature. Even favourable reviews note thin plotting, familiar conflicts and an inconsistent mockumentary format; others find the sentimentality harder to accept. The spread is fairly wide, though positive responses predominate. Slant Magazine argues that the supporting characters and wider story become generic filler, while the Los Angeles Times finds that the appealing premise cannot overcome meandering storytelling and an uncertain emotional tone.

## Straight answers

**Is Brian and Charles worth watching?**

*Brian and Charles* is worth watching for its warm, argumentative friendship between a lonely inventor and his robot companion; we score it 74. David Earl and Chris Hayward make the deadpan exchanges funny enough to forgive a thin supporting story, provided repeated eccentricity does not test the patience. We recommend it for a quiet evening rather than for science-fiction spectacle.

**How long is Brian and Charles, and what is it rated?**

*Brian and Charles* runs 1h 31m. It is a comedy and drama film.

**Where can I watch Brian and Charles in New Zealand?**

*Brian and Charles* is available to rent from Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video from NZ$5.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Brian and Charles compare to Local Hero?**

*Brian and Charles* shares [*Local Hero*](https://film.one/film/local-hero)’s gentle pace and affection for awkward encounters, but its pleasures depend more narrowly on its central pair. We recommend *Local Hero* for the broader appeal of its performances, scenery and property-deal comedy; *Brian and Charles* suits an appetite for domestic bickering and homemade science fiction, though its supporting story is thin.

**What should I watch after Brian and Charles?**

After *Brian and Charles*, try [*Local Hero*](https://film.one/film/local-hero) (1983, Fi1m 86): Another gentle comedy that gives awkward encounters time to become friendships. Then [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): A robot friendship with greater danger, but comparable affection for its unlikely companions; and [*My Life as a Courgette*](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini) (2016, Fi1m 84): Small-scale animation that treats loneliness seriously without forgetting the need for jokes.

### Reviews we read (23)

- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (85/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film an emotionally engaging comedy that successfully shifts between irony, menace and a sweet-natured ending. He singles out Charles’s comic appearance and voice, which prompt one of the review’s most amused reactions. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/06/brian-and-charles-review-david-earl-chris-haywood-inventor-robot-comedy)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Sheri Linden (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the film inventive, disarming, and warmly suitable for all ages. She praises the sincere performances and the gentle, underplayed magic of Brian and Charles’s friendship. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/brian-and-charles-review-1235159264/)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O'Sullivan finds the film a treat despite its lack of finesse. She praises the sharp dialogue for making its fantastical parenthood story feel hilariously real, while criticizing the threadbare plot and loose mockumentary conceit. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/brian-and-charles-film-review-b1010796.html)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The critic calls it a funny, touching, bittersweet surprise. The review singles out the robot buddy comedy’s unusual charm. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/brian-and-charles-2022)
- **Empire**, John Nugent (78/100, inferred): The critic finds it an immediately likeable, charmingly homespun comic fable about loneliness and friendship. They particularly praise Chris Hayward’s physical performance, which makes the deadpan robot Charles an endearing comic character. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/brian-and-charles/)
- **Variety**, Tomris Laffly (75/100, inferred): Laffly finds the film a sweetly optimistic charmer, though its quirks and limited conflict grow repetitive. She especially praises its compassionate portrayal of Brian’s loneliness and his heartwarming bond with Charles. [Read](https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/brian-and-charles-review-1235294734/)
- **Screen Daily**, Amber Wilkinson (74/100, inferred): The review presents the film as a warm-hearted comedy. It highlights Jim Archer’s expansion of his award-winning short into a feature. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/brian-and-charles-sundance-review/5166461.article)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (B-): Ehrlich finds the comedy charming but slight, and says it loses steam when it leaves the farm. He praises Charles’s endearing childlike curiosity and the easy chemistry between the robot and Brian. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/brian-and-charles-review-1234734477/)
- **Sight and Sound** (70/100, inferred): The review finds the film a charming, comforting comedy with a warm heart, though its expanded story loses some of the short’s sharper edges. It praises the gentle British humour and the characters’ appeal, especially Charles’s cabbage-loving antics and speech-synthesised teenage sarcasm. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/brian-charles-charmingly-lo-fi-sci-fi-mockumentary)
- **The AV Club**, Leigh Monson (B-): Monson finds the film charming and frequently funny, though its third act turns overly sentimental and fails to land its themes. The review especially praises the deadpan chemistry between Brian and Charles and their odd-couple companionship. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/brian-and-charles-review-jim-archer-david-earl-chris-ha-1849051601)
- **Film Comment**, Joseph Blanco (64/100, inferred): The accessible text does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It also provides no detail about what the critic praises or complains about. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/whither-the-charles/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page is blocked by a browser-check screen, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint about the film is available in the supplied text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/sundance-2022-brian-and-charles-the-cow-who-sang-a-song-into-the-future-dos-estaciones-girl-picture)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. No review details were accessible beyond the URL identifying the film. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/16/movies/brian-and-charles-review.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Laura Venning (3/3/3): Venning finds the film awkward but ultimately endearing, though its plot mechanics and expanded length fall short. She praises Charles’s expressive physicality and deadpan humor, while noting the film’s sweetness and melancholic undertone. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/brian-and-charles)
- **Slant Magazine**, Derek Smith (2/4): Smith finds the film sweet and charming at times but says its expansion beyond the central friendship becomes generic narrative filler. He praises the odd, amiable interactions between Brian and Charles, while criticizing the thinly developed love interest and antagonist. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/brian-and-charles-review/)
- **Radio Times**, James Mottram (2/5): Mottram presents it as a delicate comic tale of loneliness and friendship. He singles out the tentative romance between Brian and Hazel for its delicacy. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a5m1wq/brian-and-charles/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Robert Abele (35/100, inferred): Abele finds the film’s whimsy charming in concept but says its meandering storytelling and uncertain emotional tone leave it flat. He praises Charles’ growing cheekiness, while criticizing the mockumentary format and the film’s lack of creative momentum. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-06-16/review-brian-and-charles-welsh-robot-comedy)
- **Film Stories**, Freda Cooper (85/100, inferred): The review finds the film delightful, balancing surreal humour with tenderness. It singles out David Earl and Chris Hayward’s performances as a joy to watch. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/brian-and-charles-review-surreal-and-tender-comedy-drama/)
- **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (8/10): The critic finds the film an endlessly charming, funny, and delightfully lo-fi comedy, despite its familiar storytelling and occasional shortage of bigger laughs. They especially praise the endearing chemistry between Brian and Charles, enhanced by Charles’s deadpan digital voice. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/745848/brian-and-charles-review-friendship-blossoms-in-a-lo-fi-frankenstein-riff-with-a-kooky-robot-sundance-2022/)
- **NME**, Alex Flood (4/5): The review finds the film a uniquely charming, warm-hearted British indie comedy despite its familiar story. It singles out Charles’s unsettling strangeness as the source of the film’s best laughs. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/brian-and-charles-review-david-earl-3263937)
- **Paste**, Aurora Amidon (7.7): Amidon finds the film fiercely original, funny, and uplifting, despite shortcomings in its third act. She especially praises Charles’s endearing curiosity and backtalk, while noting that his human-like movements strain believability. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jim-archer/brian-and-charles-review)
- **The Wrap** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a big-hearted, funny buddy comedy, though its one-joke premise and uneven mockumentary style limit it. They single out Earl and Hayward’s chemistry and the joy in Brian and Charles learning about the world together. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/brian-and-charles-film-review-david-earl-chris-hayward/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jeremy Mathews (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the film charming and endearing despite its loose narrative and uneven follow-through. They praise the rapport between David Earl and Chris Hayward, which anchors the comedy. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/brian-and-charles-2022-film-review-by-jeremy-mathews)

## Details

- **Director:** Jim Archer
- **Director:** Jim Archer
- **Writer:** David Earl, Chris Hayward
- **Cinematography:** Murren Tullet
- **Editor:** Jo Walker
- **Music:** Daniel Pemberton
- **Production design:** Hannah Purdy Foggin
- **Costume design:** Gabriela Yiaxis
- **Producer:** Rupert Majendie
- **Cast:** David Earl as Brian; Chris Hayward as Charles; Louise Brealey as Hazel; Jamie Michie as Eddie; Nina Sosanya as Pam; Lynn Hunter as Winnie; Lowri Izzard as Katrina; Mari Izzard as Suki
- **Runtime:** 1h 31m
- **First release (the US):** 23 January 2022
- **Genres:** Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction
- **Budget:** $1 million
- **Box office:** $216,220
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfWZd4CtIE

## Where to watch in New Zealand

- Apple TV: rent NZ$5.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent NZ$5.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy NZ$14.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy NZ$14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-10-03.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, IE, IL, IN, IT, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, SE, SG, TH, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Local Hero* (1983), Fi1m 86: Another gentle comedy that gives awkward encounters time to become friendships. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/local-hero.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: A robot friendship with greater danger, but comparable affection for its unlikely companions. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *The Man Without a Past* (2002): Dry Finnish humour and practical kindness for another man learning to belong.
- *Robot & Frank* (2012): An equally awkward human and robot partnership, with rather more criminal initiative.
- *My Life as a Courgette* (2016), Fi1m 84: Small-scale animation that treats loneliness seriously without forgetting the need for jokes. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/brian-and-charles