Finch (2021): A Heartfelt Journey of Survival and Companionship

Finch, directed by Miguel Sapochnik, is a moving science fiction drama that centers on themes of survival, companionship, and hope amid a post-apocalyptic world. Starring Tom Hanks, the film presents an intimate look at one man’s determination to leave behind a legacy of love and protection in an otherwise bleak world. Set in a desolate future where a massive solar flare has devastated Earth, rendering it uninhabitable, Finch explores the lengths to which humans and even machines can go to connect and endure.

Hanks plays Finch, a lone robotics engineer and one of the last survivors on Earth. Aware of his deteriorating health, Finch creates a robot he names Jeff (voiced by Caleb Landry Jones) with one goal in mind: to protect his beloved dog, Goodyear, after he’s gone. Jeff, a highly intelligent and increasingly human-like companion, joins Finch and Goodyear as they set out on a journey across a hazardous landscape in search of a place where Jeff and Goodyear might live safely.

Through breathtaking cinematography and a raw, emotional storyline, Finch captures the stark beauty and danger of Earth’s new reality. Along their journey, Finch, Jeff, and Goodyear face formidable challenges, from violent storms to scarce resources. These obstacles reveal not only Finch’s resourcefulness but also Jeff’s growth from a programmed machine into a friend, who learns about empathy, loyalty, and even humor. Their unique bond and Finch’s teachings illustrate a touching blend of human warmth and mechanical curiosity, delivering a poignant message about the human need for connection and legacy.

Tom Hanks shines in his performance, embodying Finch with vulnerability and resilience that resonate deeply with viewers. His portrayal brings to life the intense love Finch has for Goodyear and the trust he places in Jeff, elevating the film’s exploration of survival beyond physical endurance to include emotional survival and the search for purpose, even in humanity’s twilight.

Finch is a testament to the spirit of perseverance, not only for one’s own sake but for the sake of those we love. In the end, Finch is as much a story about humanity’s bonds as it is about survival, offering a thoughtful meditation on life, friendship, and the legacies we leave behind.