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A.X.L.
A.X.L.
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A.X.L.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOliver Daly
Written byOliver Daly
Based onMiles
by Oliver Daly
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTim Orr
Edited byJeff McEvoy
Music byIan Hultquist
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Global Road Entertainment
Release date
  • August 24, 2018 (2018-08-24)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$9 million[1]
Box office$15 million[2][3]

A.X.L. is a 2018 American science fiction adventure film written and directed by Oliver Daly and starring Alex Neustaedter, Becky G, Alex MacNicoll, Dominic Rains, and Thomas Jane. It tells the story of a teenage boy who encounters a robotic dog created from cutting edge military technology. It was released in the United States on August 24, 2018, by Global Road Entertainment, receiving generally negative reviews from critics and grossing $15 million above its $9 million budget.

Plot

[edit]

A-X-L is a top-secret, robotic dog created by Andric, a Craine Systems scientist, to assist and protect soldiers. The project is funded by the military. Code-named A-X-L ("Attack, exploration, Logistics") by the scientists who created it, the robot embodies advanced next-generation artificial intelligence. After a trial goes wrong, A-X-L is discovered hiding alone and damaged in the desert by outsider and motorbike racer Miles Hill, himself alone and abandoned by Sam Fontaine after falling from his motorbike during a stunt. Miles and A-X-L connect after the robot's owner-pairing technology is activated. A-X-L goes to great lengths to help and protect his new companion. Becoming himself bonded with A-X-L, Miles teams up with the smart, resourceful Sara Reyes to protect his new best friend.

They go to a remote hideout that Sara uses as an art studio. A-X-L presents Miles with a device which takes a blood sample and completes the pairing process. Sam arrives and confronts Sara, jealous of her relationship with Miles. A-X-L attacks Sam and Miles uses the situation to threaten him, telling him to leave Sara alone. Sara is angry that Miles has inflamed an already bad situation, but says she will not leave Miles. Leaving A-X-L, they go back to Miles' home and tell his father, Chuck, about the robot. Chuck advises them to return it to its owners. Meanwhile, Sam returns with his crew and burns A-X-L with a flamethrower. Sara sees the live recording on her phone and she and Miles take off to save him. They are too late, but A-X-L gives them a location to get him repaired. Meanwhile, a man sent by Andric shows up at Chuck's house and demands to know the location of the device that controls A-X-L. Chuck grows suspicious and outmaneuvers the man, demanding answers to his own questions. The man reveals he is looking for A-X-L.

Miles and Sara take A-X-L to a garage, where the robot begins repairing itself. Andric sees a log of its location and sends a team to retrieve it. The agents arrive and try to retrieve the robot while it is still repairing. The repairs finish just in time, and A-X-L subdues the operatives. As A-X-L reboots, he recalls being burned with a flamethrower, and races off to kill Sam. Miles and Sara rush to stop him. Sam and his friends are partying when A-X-L arrives. Sam tries again to burn him with the flamethrower, but the fuel runs out. Miles and Sara arrive and convince A-X-L not to kill Sam. A swarm of drones arrives and disables A-X-L; Miles and Sara are captured and delivered to Craine Systems. Andric tries to override Miles' control of A-X-L, but fails.

When Miles refuses to reveal where the remote is, Andric programs A-X-L to attack Sara. Sara manages to convince A-X-L not to attack her, by reminding him of how she drew a feather at the hideout. Captain Webber, Andric's military superior, shows up. Andric tries to escape, but is arrested. Knowing they are surrounded, Sara allows herself to be captured. Miles and A-X-L escape, but are pursued by helicopter. They race though hilly terrain until Miles falls from his motorbike. Miles orders A-X-L to run. A-X-L obeys and tries to get as far away as possible before self-destructing, whilst uploading to the Internet all the memories he, Miles and Sara had together. Having finished, A-X-L looks at Miles' image for the last time, and says "Yo! Send it," before finishing the self-destruct sequence. Miles then allows himself to be captured by the military.

Six weeks later, Andric has been imprisoned for violating national security and endangering the lives of civilians. He is visited by Webber, who informs him that A-X-L's code has resurfaced and wants to know what it is doing. Sara and Miles have gone to college with scholarships provided by the military – to buy their silence and to keep an eye on them. Sara and Miles are spending a day hanging out at the beach, studying and playing with their new puppy, when Sara hands him an envelope. Miles opens it and pulls out a note from his dad saying "This yours?". He flips the envelope upside-down and A-X-L's remote falls out into his hand. He asks Sara if he should press it. The device uploads an A-X-L app onto their phones. They realize that A-X-L has somehow survived and is trying to return to them.

Cast

[edit]
  • Alex Neustaedter as Miles Hill, an aspiring motocross racer.
  • Becky G as Sara Reyes, a resourceful girl who Miles allies with.
  • Alex MacNicoll as Sam Fontaine.
  • Dominic Rains as Andric, a scientist at Craine Systems.
  • Lou Taylor Pucci as Randall, a scientist at Craine Systems.
  • Thomas Jane as Chuck Hill, the father of Miles.
  • Patricia de Leon as Joanna Reyes, Sara's mother.
  • Niko Guardado as Scroggins.
  • Marie-Françoise Theodore as Captain Webber.
  • Ted McGinley as George Fontaine.
  • Eric Etebari as Craine Operative Berman.
  • Hassie Harrison as Kirsten/gas station girl.
  • John Elizabeth Stintzi as Robert Elizabeth Stintzi.

Production

[edit]

A-X-L is based on the proof-of-concept short film Miles by writer/director Oliver Daly. The short film was funded via Kickstarter campaign that began in 2014, with 190 backers. According to the campaign, the short film is a "movie about blurring the boundaries between humanity and technology, set in the off-roading world of Central California."[4]

Production began in 2015 when writer/director Oliver Daly began reworking his short film Miles into a feature-length film. David S. Goyer joined the project as producer through his Phantom Four banner alongside Kevin Turen.[5] Lakeshore Entertainment joined Phantom Four to produce the film, which began principal photography in 2016.[6] Global Road Entertainment (formerly Open Road) joined Lakeshore Entertainment to co-produce and co-finance the project.[6][7]

In August 2016, singer Becky G announced that she would be joining the cast as "Sara".[8] Actor Alex MacNicoll (Transparent) was cast in the film in October 2016, joining Alex Neustaedter.[9]

The film was released despite its financing and production company Global Road Entertainment being taken over by its lenders.[10]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

In the United States and Canada, A.X.L. was released on August 24, 2018 alongside The Happytime Murders, and was projected to gross around $5 million from 1,710 theaters in its opening weekend.[11] It ended up debuting to $2.9 million, finishing ninth at the box office.[1] The film made a total of $8.5 million worldwide.[3]

Critical response

[edit]

The film received largely negative reviews from critics, with criticisms aimed at its derivative nature.[12][13] On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 26% based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10. The site's critics' consensus reads, "Clumsily recalling numerous superior movies about unlikely human/robot friendships, A.X.L. is an obsolete adventure made from frequently malfunctioning parts."[14] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 29 out of 100, based on reviews from 7 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 59% overall positive score.[1]

Katie Rife of The A.V. Club described the film as "utterly forgettable", not believing that anyone would "want to watch [the] utterly generic, sloppily conceived film badly enough to see it in theaters".[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A.X.L. is a American written and directed by Oliver Daly, centering on a teenage racer who forms an unlikely bond with a top-secret robotic designed for and . The titular A.X.L., an acronym for Attack, Exploration, Logistics, is a highly advanced, AI-powered mechanical canine engineered to protect soldiers in future conflicts through and aggressive defense capabilities. Starring as protagonist Miles Hill, alongside as his love interest Sara, Alex MacNicoll, and , the film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the ethical implications of as Miles and A.X.L. evade pursuit by the U.S. and the robot's ruthless creator. Released theatrically on , , by Global Road Entertainment, it received mixed reviews for its and heartfelt story but was criticized for predictable plotting and underdeveloped characters, earning a 5.3/10 rating on from over 14,000 users and a 26% approval score from critics on . The production, with a budget of $10 million, marked Daly's feature directorial debut after his work, and the movie later became available for streaming on platforms like .

Narrative elements

Plot

Miles Hill is a teenage motocross racer grappling with family tensions following his mother's death and pressure from his father, , a , to pursue a more stable career after a recent biking mishap. During a practice ride in the desert, Miles is sabotaged and abandoned by his wealthy rival, Sam Fontaine, who strands him far from help. While seeking shelter, Miles stumbles upon a crashed freight container and discovers A.X.L., an experimental robotic canine developed by Craine Systems for attack, exploration, and logistics operations, equipped with advanced AI and neural pairing technology. Initially defensive, A.X.L. attacks Miles but is subdued and repaired using parts from Miles's damaged in 's garage, establishing a biometric bond that allows Miles to control the robot dog through a neural link. As the bond deepens, A.X.L. assists Miles in tuning his bike for an upcoming race, showcasing enhanced speed and agility during test runs. Miles introduces A.X.L. to his budding romance with Sara Reyes, a compassionate classmate whose mother works as a housekeeper for Sam's family; the trio forms a close alliance, with A.X.L. displaying protective instincts and even playful behaviors during garage bonding sessions. Tensions escalate when Sam and his friends discover A.X.L. at a and attack it with a , severely damaging the ; in retaliation, A.X.L. pursues and injures Sam, prompting Craine Systems operatives, led by the ruthless Dr. Andric, to track the robot via its embedded cameras and launch a pursuit. The group embarks on a series of high-stakes adventures to evade capture, including intense chases through urban streets and off-road terrains where A.X.L. deploys its weaponry to fend off armed drones and vehicles. Sara uncovers A.X.L.'s origins through a recovered data chip, revealing its programmed lethality, but Miles affirms the robot's , influenced by their . The pursuit escalates, leading to the capture of Miles, Sara, and A.X.L. by drones sent by the operatives. The core theme of underscores Miles's determination to protect A.X.L., as detailed further in the Themes section. In the climax at a remote Craine Systems facility, the operatives recapture A.X.L. and attempt to reprogram it, but Sara hacks the to restore its bond with Miles. As military forces close in amid a seizure of the company, A.X.L. initiates a sequence in a fiery to prevent its technology from falling into the wrong hands, sacrificing itself to ensure Miles and Sara's safety. In the aftermath, Miles and Sara commit to a future together, with presenting Miles a mysterious key recovered from the , hinting at A.X.L.'s potential survival.

Themes

A central theme in A.X.L. is the between humans and advanced AI, reimagining the classic boy-and-dog narrative in a sci-fi context, where the robotic canine A.X.L. forms a bond of and companionship with the teenage Miles, mirroring tales of unconditional devotion seen in stories like but updated with technological elements. This relationship emphasizes trust and mutual protection, as A.X.L. exhibits behaviors akin to emotional attachment, defending Miles against threats and demonstrating a that transcends its programmed origins. The film delves into the ethical boundaries of , particularly the 's development and deployment of AI as autonomous weapons, portraying A.X.L. as a product of an amoral arms program designed for attack, exploration, and logistics, which raises questions about the of creating machines capable of independent thought and . It explores the loss of control inherent in such innovations, as the AI's bonding mechanism with a overrides its original directives, blurring the line between tool and being and highlighting the risks of unchecked experimentation. Furthermore, the narrative probes machine by depicting A.X.L.'s evolution through interaction, becoming "more sophisticated and more emotional" than anticipated, prompting philosophical inquiries into whether AI deserves humane treatment akin to living companions. Sub-themes of and against underscore the redemptive power of personal bonds, with Miles navigating family dysfunction, peer , and societal pressures through his connection to A.X.L., which empowers him to challenge corporate and parental control over the robot's fate. A.X.L. symbolizes both the ideal of unwavering companionship that aids personal growth and the perils of technological overreach, where for warfare threatens ethical norms and human autonomy.

Cast and crew

Cast

The principal cast of A.X.L. is led by , who portrays Miles Hill, the teenage protagonist and racer who forms a bond with the experimental robotic dog. plays Sara Reyes, Miles' supportive love interest and key ally in evading corporate pursuers. Alex MacNicoll stars as Sam Fontaine, the antagonistic rival rider who creates conflict for Miles. Dominic Rains depicts Andric, the ruthless operative from Craine Systems tasked with recovering the robotic asset. appears as Chuck Hill, Miles' father and skilled mechanic who aids in the story's mechanical elements. In supporting roles, Niko Guardado plays Scroggins, a friend in Miles' circle, while Patricia De Leon portrays Joanna, and several actors fill positions as military and security personnel, including as Operative Berman, Sam Upton as Operative Stark, and Jonathan Camp as Operative Cameron.

Crew

Oliver Daly served as both director and writer for A.X.L., marking his feature film debut after developing the project from his 2015 short film Miles, a proof-of-concept exploring human-technology bonds in off-roading settings. The production was led by producers , known for his work on trilogy, alongside , , , Richard S. Wright, and Jackie Shenoo, with executive producers including . These collaborators oversaw the of Daly's vision into a full-scale adventure, emphasizing the film's themes of loyalty and . Cinematographer captured the film's dynamic action sequences and rural landscapes, drawing on his experience with character-driven visuals in projects like Tully. provided the score, blending electronic and orchestral elements to underscore the robotic dog's emotional arc, as heard in tracks like "Lucky Charm" and "Launch the Drones." Editor Jeff McEvoy handled the pacing of the thriller's high-stakes chases and interpersonal moments, ensuring a tight 100-minute runtime. The film was produced by Phantom Four Films, , and Global Road Entertainment, which managed financing and distribution logistics for the independent project. Key technical roles included Rangi Sutton, who coordinated the design and animation of A.X.L. across vendors like Beach VFX and to create the lifelike robotic protagonist. Stunt coordinator Oakley Lehman orchestrated the and pursuit sequences, integrating practical effects with the CGI elements for authentic adrenaline-fueled action.

Production

Development

The development of A.X.L. originated from writer-director Oliver Daly's proof-of-concept Miles, which he produced in 2015 following a successful campaign launched in 2014 that raised approximately $43,000 from 190 backers to fund the project exploring the boundaries between humanity and . The 's positive reception at festivals inspired Daly to expand it into a feature-length screenplay, which he wrote to delve deeper into themes of and human connection while maintaining a focus on adventure. In 2015, efforts began to adapt Miles into the full feature, with Global Road Entertainment (formerly ) joining as a co-producer and co-financier by , alongside and Phantom Four. The screenplay revisions aimed to balance the intimate story of the short with broader sci-fi action elements suitable for a family-oriented adventure, though specific details on these changes remain limited in public records. Producers through his Phantom Four banner and secured a to support the production. Pre-production details, such as for the robotic dog A.X.L. or initial storyboards, are scarce, with available information primarily highlighting the transition from the short film's simpler to more advanced CGI planning for the feature. This phase addressed early challenges in visualizing the AI companion's personality and movements to appeal to both young audiences and sci-fi enthusiasts.

Filming

Principal photography for A.X.L. took place over a six-week period from June 17, 2016, to July 31, 2016. Filming occurred primarily in , , capturing the film's desert and urban settings, with inspiration drawn from Central 's Inland Empire region for its vast valleys and off-road terrains suitable for sequences. The production incorporated practical effects for the robotic dog A.X.L., featuring an puppet suit developed by to allow for on-set interactions, augmented by CGI for enhanced movements and AI-driven behaviors in action scenes. stunts were executed using real riders and high-speed cameras to convey authenticity and intensity, with a focus on actor safety during sequences involving the animatronics and bike maneuvers. Director Oliver Daly prioritized realistic teen dynamics on set, building on his proof-of-concept short Miles to foster genuine performances amid the technical demands. No major delays were reported, though the integration of practical and digital elements presented ongoing challenges in achieving seamless visuals.

Release

Distribution

A.X.L. had its theatrical premiere in the United States on August 24, 2018, distributed by Global Road Entertainment in a that expanded to 1,710 theaters. The film received a PG rating from the of America for sci-fi action/peril, suggestive material, and thematic elements, with a runtime of 98 minutes. Internationally, the film rolled out in select markets beginning in August 2018, including releases in in August 2018, on August 16, on August 22, the on August 23, and the on August 24; it reached a total of over 20 countries, with dubbed versions available in languages such as Spanish and German to accommodate local audiences. As of November 2025, following post-theatrical rights shifts, A.X.L. is accessible on streaming platforms including , , and , enhancing its availability beyond its theatrical run, though no new theatrical re-releases have occurred.

Marketing and home media

The marketing campaign for A.X.L. focused on highlighting the film's blend of adventure and the emotional bond between a teenage and a robotic , drawing comparisons to classic tales of unlikely friendships. The official trailer debuted on on May 17, , distributed by Global Road Entertainment (under its banner), showcasing high-energy sequences and the developing trust between Miles and A.X.L. to appeal to a audience. A promotional TV spot aired in late , further emphasizing the story's themes of loyalty and protection. efforts included a trailer post on the same day as the YouTube release, using the "Man's best friend has evolved" to generate online engagement. To build pre-release hype, Global Road partnered with and for a series of livestream every over four weeks, beginning May 18, 2018, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses and interactive fan sessions targeted at teens interested in action and tech-driven narratives. Posters featured dynamic imagery of A.X.L.'s sleek robotic design alongside the lead actors on dirt bikes, reinforcing the film's elements and adventurous tone, though no major merchandise such as action figures was produced. The campaign avoided large-scale partnerships with external brands, relying instead on digital platforms to reach its core demographic of science fiction enthusiasts and young riders. Following its theatrical release, A.X.L. became available for digital video on demand (VOD) starting December 21, 2018, through platforms including , Amazon Video, and . The physical home media edition, comprising DVD and Blu-ray formats, followed on January 1, 2019, distributed by Global Road Entertainment despite the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September 2018, which primarily affected its production and theatrical operations. In subsequent years, the film expanded to streaming services, debuting on in June 2019 and later appearing on , , and as of 2025. These ancillary releases helped sustain visibility for the low-budget feature, with online clips from the trailer and key scenes contributing to modest ongoing interest among genre fans.

Reception

Box office

A.X.L. opened in 1,711 theaters in the United States and on , 2018, earning $2.8 million over its opening weekend and finishing ninth at the . The film had a of $10 million, making the debut a modest start relative to expectations for a mid-budget sci-fi . The film ultimately grossed $6.5 million domestically, $2.0 million internationally, and $8.5 million worldwide, failing to recoup its costs through theatrical earnings alone. Adjusted for , these figures equate to approximately $10.9 million in 2025 dollars, reflecting cumulative U.S. changes from 2018 onward. There have been no theatrical re-releases or additional earnings reported as of 2025. A.X.L. underperformed compared to similar young adult sci-fi films like , which earned $348 million worldwide on a $34 million budget in 2014. It also faced stiff competition during its late-summer release from major blockbusters such as , which dominated the with over $174 million domestically that month. Contributing factors included limited marketing reach from its small distributor Global Road Entertainment and a derivative plot echoing earlier boy-and-his-companion stories, despite its PG rating potentially appealing to family audiences.

Critical response

Upon its release, A.X.L. received generally unfavorable reviews from critics, who found it derivative and lacking originality despite some technical merits. On the review aggregation website , the film holds a 26% approval rating based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1/10. The site's critics' consensus describes it as "clumsily recalling numerous superior about unlikely / friendships, [an] obsolete made from frequently malfunctioning parts." On , which assigns a weighted average rating to reviews from mainstream critics, A.X.L. has a score of 29 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. Critics frequently praised the bringing the robotic dog A.X.L. to life, along with engaging action sequences involving stunts and high-tech chases. The chemistry between the young leads, particularly Alex Neustaedter's earnest performance as the protagonist, was highlighted as a solid anchor for the teen-oriented narrative. In , Frank Scheck noted the film's visual appeal in depicting the robot dog, though he found it "narratively thin" overall. However, the storyline drew widespread criticism for its derivative nature, echoing classics like and without adding fresh ideas, coupled with a predictable plot, weak script, and underdeveloped themes of friendship and technology. RogerEbert.com's Mark Dujsik called it "formulaic," observing that it shifts uneasily between genres without committing to any. Variety described the film as a "mediocre throwback" hampered by its unoriginal premise. Audience reception has been more positive, with a 58% score on and grades of B+ from and 59% from .

References

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