Girl dates robot.  Boy dates robot.  But can either of them find happiness with “the perfect match”?

Currently in pre production. This short film is a proof of concept for a Television series and feature film.

The story and key players

Mia, mid-30s, has been hitting the dating apps for what seems like forever, trying to find a man who a) looks like his profile photos b) doesn’t immediately ask if she does anal c) doesn’t ghost her.  It’s a low benchmark, and yet still she has been unsuccessful.  Our first sight of her is alone in a restaurant with a bottle of wine, stood up for what feels like the thousandth time.

Luke, late 20s, is in a long-term relationship with Angus, optimistically hoping for a marriage proposal as he waits for him in the same restaurant as Mia.  Sadly for Luke, he has missed the signs that Angus is unhappy in his eagerness to believe that they are soulmates.  Angus ends their relationship in full view of everyone in the restaurant.

Luckily for Mia and Luke, their waitress knows the solution – a dating app called “Glitch”.  “For dating without a hitch – try Glitch!”  Promising the perfect match every time, Glitch offers humans a choice of robots with a range of physical attributes, programmed with the latest Artificial Intelligence.  Convincingly humanoid, the robots can adapt to meet their date’s every need – great listeners, never ghost you – and always ready for sex however you like it.

Against a backdrop of climate change induced disruption which Mia and Luke resolutely try to ignore, they both seek solace in the latest hot model produced in Glitch’s laboratory – Leaf.  Leaf is physically perfect in their eyes and raring to download the “Fuck Buddy” programme they have both selected.  After a few teething problems (robot’s need veryspecific commands in order to provide the right service) they both enjoy great sex and book a follow up date with their respective Leafs.

Mia hopes that she can shape her Leaf into the ideal boyfriend.  He’s a great listener … but sadly robots don’t tell great anecdotes as they are programmed to not share stories about other dates they have been on (and Leaf’s only purpose is to date, 24/7, 365 days a year).  And as for their sense of humour … AI still has a way to go.

Luke’s date starts out more successfully.  He takes his Leaf to a party where he knows Angus will be, hoping to win him back by making him jealous.  But it soon becomes clear that partying with Leaf won’t make Luke happy, and neither will getting back with Angus.

By the end of the film, both Mia and Luke realise that you can’t manufacture love.  They find happiness in a way that’s perfect for them – Mia at ease in her own company, Luke throwing himself into a dance party.

And as for Leaf – both versions of Leaf get rebooked straight away and head off with their next dates – wiped clean and ready to go!