Automata

What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAutomata

Gabe Ibáñez · Film · 2014

If you loved Automata, start with Humans (Jonathan Brackley, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Automata across media.

What hooked you in Automata was the haunting exploration of how artificial consciousness challenges our definition of humanity and corporate control.

Books on the same thread

Feed

Feed

M. T. Anderson · Book · 2012

Shares a thread with Automata: Cyberpunk.

If you appreciated the cynical look at industry in Automata, this book dives deeper into how consumerist technology strips away individuality and dictates the trajectory of our future existence.

Broadband Horizons

Broadband Horizons

Marcelo Palacios · Book · 2024

Shares 3 threads with Automata: Artificial Intelligence, Cyberpunk, Dystopian Fiction.

Much like the corporate conspiracy found in Automata, this thriller expands on the terrifying intersection of rogue artificial intelligence and the erosion of humanity within a corrupt corporate landscape.

The Machine Stops

The Machine Stops

E. M. Forster · Book · 2011

Shares a thread with Automata: Dystopian Fiction.

The existential dread of Automata finds its origin in this classic, which explores how total dependence on automated systems ultimately leads to the isolation and downfall of human society.

The Robots of Dawn

The Robots of Dawn

Isaac Asimov · Book · 1985

Shares 2 threads with Automata: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics.

If the robotic mystery of Automata intrigued you, this investigation by Asimov provides a foundational look at the complex ethical dilemmas and societal tensions inherent in human-robot interactions.

Series on the same thread

Humans

Humans

Jonathan Brackley · Series · 2015

Shares 2 threads with Automata: Technological Singularity, Artificial Intelligence.

This series mirrors the core tension of Automata by examining how the integration of highly developed robotic servants into daily life fundamentally alters our ethical understanding of artificial consciousness.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Series · 2002

Shares 3 threads with Automata: Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Conspiracy, Existentialism.

If the corporate conspiracy in Automata felt compelling, this series offers a deeper dive into the blurred lines between cybernetic humanity and the political influence of massive, controlling entities.

Mr. Robot

Mr. Robot

Sam Esmail · Series · 2015

Shares 2 threads with Automata: Corporate conspiracy, Cyberpunk.

Just as Automata questions the morality of those in power, this show uses the tools of a modern hacker to dismantle the corporate systems that shape and restrict our reality.

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

Adam Curtis · Series · 2011

Shares a thread with Automata: Artificial Intelligence.

This documentary series explores the same societal anxieties present in Automata, specifically focusing on how our reliance on computer systems has fundamentally reshaped our perception of human agency.

Podcasts on the same thread

The Orphans

The Orphans

The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025

Explores: survivalism, artificial consciousness, existential dread.

Fans of the existential questions raised in Automata will appreciate this audio drama, which explores the emotional depth of artificial consciousness surviving in a cold, indifferent and hostile universe.

The Deca Tapes

The Deca Tapes

Lex Noteboom · Podcast · 2025

Explores: social isolation, paranoia, confinement.

If the claustrophobic mystery of Automata kept you engaged, this found-footage narrative mirrors that sense of paranoia and distrust found when trapped within a system you cannot fully understand.

Common questions

What is the primary conflict in Automata?

In Automata, Jacq Vaucan is an insurance agent for the ROC robotics corporation. He investigates a case involving the manipulation of a robot, which leads to a discovery that carries profound consequences for the future of humanity.

Who is the main character in Automata?

The main character in Automata is Jacq Vaucan. He works as an insurance agent for the ROC robotics corporation and is tasked with investigating a case regarding the manipulation of a robot.

What is the role of the ROC robotics corporation in Automata?

The ROC robotics corporation is the organization that employs Jacq Vaucan in Automata. As an insurance agent for the company, Vaucan investigates a case involving robot manipulation that ultimately impacts the future of humanity.

Is Automata directed by Gabe Ibáñez?

Yes, Automata is a 2014 film directed by Gabe Ibáñez. The story follows Jacq Vaucan, an insurance agent for the ROC robotics corporation, as he uncovers a case of robot manipulation with significant consequences for humanity.

Want picks for your taste — not just one title's?

Try Tangent

Free, 30 seconds, no account.