Story perspectives

AI Son Replica Drives Grief in Singapore Premiere

6/25/2026

Summary

Otone AI Parenting

Sheep in the Box opens in Singapore on 25 June 2026, showing Otone and Kensuke Komoto obtaining an AI replica of their son Kakeru from REbirth.
Otone structures daily care around the AI, while Kensuke first calls it a “Roomba” then treats it as a companion and confessor.
The film frames the AI child as a psychological interface for rehearsing grief, and a subplot of missing children and runaway humanoids stays underdeveloped.

Summary

Sheep Box Debuts

Sheep in the Box debuted at Cannes 2026, where Hirokazu Kore-eda earned the Palme d’Or for Shoplifters in 2018.
Fuji Television, Gaga, Toho and AOI Pro financed film while Gaga and Goodfellas handle sales.
Neon will open the film in New York and Los Angeles on July 24 2026, then expand nationwide.
In a pre-Cannes interview Kore-eda said AI and androids will seek a larger connection.
The trailer shows near-future Japan with electric cars, delivery drones and generative AI in life.

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Otone AI Parenting

Sheep in the Box opens in Singapore on 25 June 2026, showing Otone and Kensuke Komoto obtaining an AI replica of their son Kakeru from REbirth.
Otone structures daily care around the AI, while Kensuke first calls it a “Roomba” then treats it as a companion and confessor.
The film frames the AI child as a psychological interface for rehearsing grief, and a subplot of missing children and runaway humanoids stays underdeveloped.

1 / 2