Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Luke Greenfield, Prime Video’s ‘Playdate’ follows an unlikely friendship between two stay-at-home fathers, Brian and Jeff. While the former is a financial analyst who has recently been fired, the latter is an ex-military operative with an enigmatic past. What unites them, however, is their shared concerns over raising their sons, Lucas and CJ, respectively. However, as the story unfolds and a playdate between the two kids goes horribly wrong, Brian realizes that Jeff isn’t exactly who he claims to be. The same holds true for CJ, whose superhuman abilities belie reason. As such, this action comedy movie goes past its genre conventions and raises questions about the true meaning of fatherhood and humanity. At the center of this thematic framework is CJ himself, whose true identity resets the narrative as a whole. SPOILERS AHEAD.
CJ is a Human Clone Designed to be the Perfect Soldier
Towards the end of ‘Playdate, CJ is revealed to be Jeff’s human clone, made by Simon Maddox and Colonel Kurtz. However, CJ is not exactly a replica of Jeff, as the colonel reveals that he has undergone genetic modification, resulting in advanced strength, endurance, and intellect. The most important change, however, is the removal of his ability to feel emotions, which places him closer to a robot than a real human. While explaining his motivations, Kurtz deems this enhanced, emotionless rendition to be a superior human, particularly geared to excel in combat. Additionally, with no feelings affecting his decision-making, CJ is trained to be ruthlessly pragmatic, using his skills to seemingly impossible tasks, no matter how morally questionable they are. However, from a purely biological standpoint, CJ is a human; closer to being Jeff’s identical twin brother than his son.
Despite having human flesh and blood, CJ displays various characteristics throughout the story that lead to the possibility of him having a robotic element to him. To begin with, his physical capabilities far outshine anything displayed by other soldiers, and that puts him nearly on the same level as Jeff himself. Furthermore, CJ shows a propensity for violence and takes out a group of teens with zero remorse. Beyond that, he also appears to be quite new to the human experience and expresses shock over simple items such as pizza. Thus, while he may biologically be a human, CJ is forced to lead a restricted life inside a single room akin to a robot. To that end, his first genuinely sensory experiences come after escaping with Jeff, further proving that he is capable of more than violence.
CJ’s Capacity For Emotions Proves His Humanity
While Jeff, Brian, and Lucas believe that CJ is a human through and through, his makers have other ideas. Colonel Kurtz believes that CJ is an asset that can be mass-produced, which explains his army of clones, each more dehumanized and mechanized than the last. In the final showdown, he commands CJ, like a robot, to kill Jeff, who, in just a few days, has turned into his father figure of sorts. However, instead of shooting Jeff down, CJ points the arrow towards his creator, Simon Maddox, instantly killing him. This sudden change in decision comes after Jeff reminds him of his humanity, proving a person’s capability to feel emotions despite the body being altered to avoid that. CJ’s desire for vengeance against Maddox and Kurtz, coupled with the love he has for Jeff, as well as his new friend Brian, speaks to the humanity present inside him, as these are emotions that cannot be replicated by a mere machine.
Earlier in the story, CJ proves his humanity yet again by calling for help, reactivating the GPS tracker in Lucas’s coat so that Jeff and crew can locate him. This shows that a part of his capacity for feelings is also informed by his lived experiences, which are defined by a lifetime of surviving abuse. For the majority of his life, home means the confines of a room, with the only possible means of expressing himself being physical exercise and skill development. However, with Jeff and Brian, CJ unlocks brand new ways of enjoying life, be it making friends or playing games. This enlightenment of sorts is a significant element in his experience as a human being, and a big reason why he joins Jeff in the end. The fact that he is capable of overwriting his genetic code demonstrates that humanity has the potential to transcend barriers, both within and between individuals.
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