In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori wrote an essay that said the closer robots come to lifelike, the more they unsettle humans. His theory became the Uncanny Valley, and science has been evaluating it – and what makes something creepy - in recent years. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.
AI Summary
In this episode, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the uncanny valley—that creepy feeling you get when something looks almost human but not quite right. They explore how Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori first theorized this phenomenon in 1970, trace its influence across robotics and Hollywood CGI, and examine why scientists still struggle to prove it actually exists. From Pixar's early misstep with a too-realistic baby to the disaster that was motion-capture Christmas movies, the guys unpack the real-world stakes of trying to create lifelike robots and characters that don't accidentally terrify us all.
Movies Discussed
A Christmas Carol
"A Christmas Carol did not do very well, either — A Christmas Carol is mentioned as another motion-capture Zemeckis film that was unsuccessful."
— Chuck
Beowulf
"he also had a part in the Beowulf movie in 2007 that was a huge bomb — Beowulf is cited as another Robert Zemeckis motion-capture film that fell into the uncanny valley."
— Josh
Fatal Attraction
"if you come home and Glenn Close is in your kitchen boiling your pet bunny, well, that's a threat — Fatal Attraction is discussed as an example of creepy behavior versus genuine creepiness, with reference to Glenn Close's character."
— Josh
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
"One of the first big photoreal computer animated movies was Final Fantasy colon, the spirits within. — Final Fantasy is cited as an early example of photorealistic CGI that fell into the uncanny valley and was commercially unsuccessful."
— Josh
Frozen
"like, say, the characters in Moana or frozen Pixar characters, that kind of thing — Frozen is used as an example of animated characters with human-like features that maintain audience affinity."
— Josh
GoodFellas
"I think of the wig salesman in Goodfellas. Yeah, Maury from Robert De Niro — Goodfellas is referenced humorously when discussing the pronunciation of the name 'Masahiro Mori'."
— Chuck
Mars Needs Moms
"What about this. Mars needs moms — Mars Needs Moms is discussed as the most extreme example of uncanny valley animation, leading to the shutdown of the studio."
— Josh
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
"like that Michael Jackson Black or white video — Michael Jackson's 'Black or White' music video is referenced as an example where digital morphing technology was used and may have disturbed viewers."
— Chuck
Moana
"like, say, the characters in Moana or frozen Pixar characters, that kind of thing — Moana is cited as an example of animated characters with exaggerated features that avoid the uncanny valley."
— Josh
Psycho
"Norman Bates was into Taxidermy for a reason. In Psycho. — Psycho is referenced to illustrate how taxidermy as a hobby can be perceived as creepy."
— Chuck
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
"the biggest example in recent years was. Or the one that got the most attention was in Rogue one — Rogue One is cited as an example where a digitally recreated deceased actor (Peter Cushing) fell into the uncanny valley."
— Josh
Star Wars
"c three po is a common one that's mentioned because c three po is built to look like a human — C-3PO is used as an example of a robot character that looks somewhat human but not realistically enough to fall into the uncanny valley."
— Josh
The Adventures of Tintin
"And then did you see the Adventures of Tintin? — The Adventures of Tintin is discussed as a motion-capture film that largely overcame the uncanny valley through storytelling."
— Chuck
The Jetsons
"clunky, Jetson style robots, like Rosie — The Jetsons is referenced as an example of non-lifelike robot design that audiences accepted."
— Josh
The Polar Express
"you had the Polar Express, which became, I think, even more famous than Final Fantasy — The Polar Express is discussed as a famous example of motion-capture animation that fell dramatically into the uncanny valley."
— Josh
Tin Toy
"Pixar had their very first short film, actually. It's called Tin Toy. It's a little five minute short. — Pixar's first short film is discussed as an early example where realistic baby animation fell into the uncanny valley."
— Josh
Tomb Raider
"Or are you talking about Angelina Jolie? Well, no, I'm talking about playing Tomb Raider — Tomb Raider is mentioned in reference to the Lara Croft character in video games, with a brief mention of the Angelina Jolie film adaptation."
— Josh
Toy Story
"It preceded toy story and everything — Toy Story is mentioned as a film that came after Tin Toy and benefited from Pixar's decision to use exaggerated character features."
— Josh
Village of the Damned
"David Germaine of the Associated Press compared the kids in this heartwarming family Christmas movie to the children from village of the Damned — Village of the Damned is referenced as an unsettling film that a reviewer compared to The Polar Express characters."
— Josh
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