The reviews lean positive: fifteen of nineteen recommend the film and none dismiss it. The praise clusters on the animation, which most critics single out for its mix of styles, with hand-drawn doodles layered over the computer-generated images, and for the speed and density of its jokes. Nearly as many mention the father-daughter story, which they find warm and honest, and several note that the film’s affection for people who make things keeps its technology theme from becoming a lecture.
The reservations are about length and clutter. Several critics think it runs long, with a drawn-out third act, and a few find the robot-apocalypse plot familiar and the pace too frenetic for its own logic. The spread is narrow; the sharpest dissent comes from The Hollywood Reporter, which finds the laughs inconsistent and the story assembled from other films, and from Slant Magazine, which thinks the family drama and the robot comedy take too long to connect.
E
Empire
22 April 2021 · Ben Travis
95*
The critic gives the film an exuberant verdict, calling it a thrilling and exceptionally funny animated adventure. They single out its inventive visual style and rapid-fire humor, while noting a missed opportunity to make Katie explicitly LGBTQ+.
Read the full review →V
Vulture
30 April 2021 · Bilge Ebiri
90*
Ebiri finds the film delightful, despite its frenetic, cluttered style, and sees it as both a critique and celebration of our tech-obsessed world. He particularly praises its inventive mix of animation styles and its affection for people who express themselves through art.
Read the full review →S
Screen Daily
21 April 2021 · Tim Grierson
85*
The critic presents the film as a delightful family comedy that should be warmly received on Netflix. The visible text praises its family-comedy appeal, but gives no more specific detail.
Read the full review →I
IndieWire
21 April 2021 · B+ · David Ehrlich
83
Ehrlich finds the film a winsome, inventive animated comedy whose family story reaches moments of raw understanding despite a drawn-out third act. He praises its visual artistry and madcap momentum, while noting that the father-daughter connection lacks room to fully rekindle.
Read the full review →R
Radio Times
★★★★ · Josh Winning
80
The critic calls it a dazzling comedy that combines heartfelt storytelling with anarchic humour. They especially praise its eye-popping animation and father-daughter narrative.
Read the full review →G
The Guardian
1 May 2021 · Simran Hans
80*
Hans finds the animation hugely enjoyable, with a warm, playful sense of humour about technology. She particularly praises the inventive visual style, which layers hand-drawn doodles over the CGI.
Read the full review →T
Total Film
21 April 2021 · ★★★★ · Matt Maytum
80
The critic calls the film an extremely enjoyable, irreverently funny animation, though it runs a little long. They praise its distinctive, textured visual style and the empathy in its father-daughter story.
Read the full review →V
Variety
21 April 2021 · Critic's Pick · Peter Debruge
78*
Debruge finds the film a consistently funny, heartfelt animated comedy, despite some reliance on brisk pacing over airtight logic. He praises the inventive animation and the genuine emotional foundation beneath its dense jokes.
Read the full review →L
Los Angeles Times
30 April 2021 · Robert Daniels
70*
Daniels finds the film sweet and entertaining, though its technophobia and robot-apocalypse plot weaken its momentum. He especially praises the colorful, inventive animation and the earnest father-daughter relationship.
Read the full review →The page appears to review the specified film, but its verdict cannot be verified from the blocked text. No praise or complaint is available in the accessible page.
Read the full review →S
Slant Magazine
21 April 2021 · ★★½/4 · Derek Smith
62
The critic finds the film’s family drama initially disconnected from its robot-apocalypse comedy, but says the action helps bring them together. They praise the distinctive animation and humor, which reflect Katie’s filmmaking sensibility.
Read the full review →H
The Hollywood Reporter
21 April 2021 · David Rooney
55*
Rooney finds the film energetic and entertaining for audiences who enjoy its rapid-fire, juvenile humor, but says its laughs are inconsistent and its story feels assembled from familiar plots. He praises the tender family-centered message, while wishing the film had more distinctive story beats and stronger comic material.
Read the full review →C
Collider
21 April 2021 · A · Matt Goldberg
95
Goldberg praises the film as a funny, emotionally honest story about family and connection. He particularly singles out its energetic, inventive animation and humor.
Read the full review →D
Den of Geek
30 April 2021 · Shamus Kelley
90*
Kelley gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it a special work that pushes animated movies forward. He especially praises its exuberant mix of animation styles and vivid color, which deepen the family story.
Read the full review →P
Polygon
30 April 2021 · Petrana Radulovic
90*
The critic finds the film an utter delight, praising its funny, heartfelt story and lively animation. They single out its hand-scribbled visual style for bringing the online generation’s perspective to life.
Read the full review →/
/Film
21 April 2021 · 9 out of 10 · Josh Spiegel
86*
The critic calls it an enormously funny, big-hearted comedy and a strong addition to Netflix’s animation offerings. They praise how its family emotions and visual humor balance the action without turning the technology theme into a lecture.
Read the full review →P
Paste
30 April 2021 · 8.5/10 · Jacob Oller
85
Oller calls it an energetic, endearing animated comedy whose inventive style pushes animation to bold new places. He praises its vivid, meme-inflected visuals and comic timing, while noting that the family drama feels familiar and overlong.
Read the full review →E
Eye for Film
18 December 2021 · Amber Wilkinson
70*
Wilkinson finds the film charming and energetic, despite occasional excess and an overly American slant. She praises its imaginative animation and its perceptive depiction of family friction.
Read the full review →The critic finds the film imperfect but ultimately inventive, funny, heartfelt, and distinctive. They praise its visual flair and especially the voice performances of Abby Jacobson and Danny McBride.
Read the full review →Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate