Atlas was just entertaining enough, but there’s only one way I would be interested in watching another movie set in this world. As a sci-fi fan with a special place in my heart for a good mech battle, the Netflix movie had me intrigued. The project was especially interesting given Jennifer Lopez’s involvement since this isn’t the genre this star is typically associated with. However, Atlas didn’t quite fulfill its potential. The big AI twist left more questions than answers, meaning that Netflix needs to go backward before proceeding with another sequel.

Atlas picks up with an intro that explains how AI-powered robots have rebelled against the human population, causing the largest genocide in history. This all started with a bot named Harlan, who belonged to genius scientist Dr. Val Shepherd, the inventor of this advanced AI and a Neural Link device that allows unparalleled connection between humans and robots. The big question of Atlas is why Harlan turned on humanity, and the disappointing answer was that his Neural Link connection with Dr. Shepherd’s daughter, Atlas (Lopez), made him realize the risk humans posed to themselves. It’s the oldest trick in the book.

Netflix’s Atlas Needs A Harlan Prequel Before It Can Continue With A Sequel

We Need More Answers About Harlan’s Turn To Evil Before The Villain Can Return

Atlas spent a lot of time setting up the big reveal that Lopez’s character was the one who made Harlan aware of humanity’s threat to the environment, but it didn’t commit to the bit. This is an overused AI trope, and though I enjoyed the mech battles and the heartwarming (albeit cheesy) connection between Atlas and Smith, the movie seriously lacked a foundation because of this. All we know is that a young Atlas allowed a two-way Neaural Link with Harlan, and the AI suddenly believed that the vast majority of humans had to be killed to save the species as a whole. Unfortunately, I’m not sold.

Netflix’s 2024 sci-fi seemed to think that audiences would accept this age-old trope without question, but the genre has come way too far for this. If Atlas was set up as a standalone film, it might have gotten away with this superficial explanation for Harlan’s big change, but the movie heavily implied that the villain would return to threaten humanity again in a sequel. While I wouldn’t mind seeing Atlas and Smith again team up to save the world, a prequel adding more substance to Harlan’s villain arc would need to happen first.

An Atlas Prequel Wouldn’t Have Jennifer Lopez (But Another Star Could Be Just As Good)

Lana Parrilla’s Performance In Atlas Warrants A Leading Prequel Role

Of course, a significant draw for Atlas was Lopez’s leading role, and since Harlan turned to evil while her character was only a child, the actor couldn’t return for a prequel movie. However, with the promise of more Atlas and Smith movies, Netflix might be able to get away with focusing instead on Lana Parrilla’s Val Shepherd. The scientist would be the key to Harlan’s change since it was her Neural Link prototype that Atlas used to create a two-way connection between herself and the bot. There is clearly a lot we don’t know about Dr. Shepherd and her creation, and a prequel would hold the answers.

Parrilla isn’t as big a name as Lopez, so going from a minor role in Atlas to a leading role in a prequel would be quite a stretch. However, as a fan of Once Upon a Time, I’m confident that the actor would be up for the challenge. Parrilla was both a phenomenal villain and hero in the ABC series, and this could be applied to a more focused look at the Dr. Shepherd character. Once Upon a Time might have been a little cheesy, but this kind of drama isn’t outside the realm of sci-fi. In all, Parrilla is just the actor to set the stage for future Atlas movies.

I’d Be More Interested In Atlas & Smith’s Story If A Prequel Sets A Stronger Foundation

Though Harlan’s weak backstory was a disappointment, this isn’t to say that Atlas didn’t have promise as a longer movie franchise. The film carried some interesting themes about the connection between living beings and what these ties mean when a person dies. Atlas’ AI-powered mech mentioned that he believed all beings, whether organic or artificial, live forever through the profound links formed during their lives, and his theory was proven correct in Atlas‘ ending when Smith was seemingly brought back from the dead. Of course, this teases that Harlan will also return, thus setting up a sequel.

I’m a sucker for a sci-fi story with some deeper moral or theological themes, so I’m certainly intrigued by the concepts that future Atlas movies could explore. Moreover, Atlas and Smith have an almost buddy-cop appeal that could be fun now that they have been fully synched. My main reluctance to continue with the franchise is that it would almost certainly feature Harlan as a returning villain, and compared to the deeper themes of Atlas, his story was too shallow and unoriginal. So, if Netflix repairs this issue with an exciting prequel, I’m far more likely to hop on board for more movies.