Murderbot & Ridley Jones

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Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review! This week’s episode is all about singularity, identity, and what it means to be “the one.” We kick things off with our Top 5 'Ones' in film and TV, followed by a look at the emotionally complex Murderbot Diaries adaptation, and we round things out with the plucky preschool heroine Ridley Jones.

🎯 Top 5 'Ones' in Movies and TV

1. Neo – The Matrix
   The definitive “One.” Chosen by prophecy, forged by code. Neo’s journey from hacker to messiah redefined sci-fi cool and gave us bullet time and existential dread.
2. Number One – Star Trek
   From Majel Barrett in The Original Series to Rebecca Romijn in Strange New Worlds, Starfleet’s Number One remains a beacon of calm leadership and intellect.
3. The One Ring – The Lord of the Rings
   A different kind of "One"—a corrupting, all-powerful artifact. Its presence drives the entire trilogy, and its destruction is the only way to save Middle-earth.
4. One – Dr. Who (The First Doctor)
   The original incarnation of the Doctor, setting the tone for decades of timey-wimey brilliance. Played by William Hartnell, he kicked off a legend.
5. The Chosen One Trope (a.k.a. Every YA Hero Ever)
   From Harry Potter to Katniss Everdeen, this archetype is so omnipresent it deserves its own shoutout. Not always literal, but always dramatic.

🤖 Main Feature: Murderbot 

We were excited to dive into the screen adaptation of Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries—and thankfully, it delivers. The story centers on a part-organic, part-cybernetic security unit that’s hacked its own governor module. Free from commands but still technically on the job, it spends most of its time watching soap operas and reluctantly saving humans.

What makes Murderbot compelling is its complex interior life: it doesn't want to be human, but it does want autonomy. It hates social interaction, fears emotional closeness, and struggles with purpose—a surprisingly relatable arc wrapped in sci-fi action. The adaptation nails the tone: dry wit, corporate dystopia, and unexpected tenderness.

🏺 Kids Feature: Ridley Jones

Aimed at the younger crowd, Ridley Jones follows a brave little girl living in a museum where exhibits come alive. Think Night at the Museum with more musical numbers and stronger messages of inclusion and curiosity.

Ridley is a great role model: courageous, empathetic, and ready to ask big questions. Whether she’s helping a dino find his roar or standing up for a mummy’s identity, Ridley teaches kids about leadership and kindness without preaching. (ED - we hated this beyond belief).

This week’s picks remind us that sometimes being “the one” doesn’t mean being the strongest—it means making the hardest choices, asking the biggest questions, or just caring the most. Whether it’s bending reality, refusing control, or standing up for a friend in a museum, these "Ones" are all unforgettable. 🎬👨‍👧‍👦🤖💍

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Until next time, we remain...

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