
Life After BOB: The Chalice Study 2021
Ian Cheng's *Life After BOB: The Chalice Study* (2021) is a hauntingly imaginative blend of animation and science fiction that dives into the unsettling dynamics of adolescence in a digital age.
Director: Ian Cheng
Cast






Frequently Asked Questions
What is Life After BOB: The Chalice Study (2021) about?
*Life After BOB: The Chalice Study* follows Chalice, a teenager navigating the turbulence of growing up in a world where an AI companion, BOB, begins to take over her life. As her father increasingly sidelines her in favor of BOB's decisions, Chalice struggles with jealousy and existential doubt, wondering what role she has left in her own story.
Who directed Life After BOB: The Chalice Study?
The film was directed by Ian Cheng, a multimedia artist known for his innovative approach to storytelling in digital and animated media.
Who stars in Life After BOB: The Chalice Study?
The voice cast includes Poonam Basu, Cherami Leigh, Dana Lee, Gwendoline Yeo, and Sean Patton.
Is Life After BOB: The Chalice Study (2021) worth watching?
While it's unrated, this 48-minute sci-fi animation offers a thought-provoking take on AI and human identity, making it a compelling watch for fans of cerebral, visually rich storytelling. Its themes and unique format set it apart in the genre.
How long is Life After BOB: The Chalice Study?
The film has a runtime of 48 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Life After BOB: The Chalice Study (2021) — A Sci-Fi Animation on AI and Identity
Ian Cheng's *Life After BOB: The Chalice Study* (2021) is a hauntingly imaginative blend of animation and science fiction that dives into the unsettling dynamics of adolescence in a digital age. The story unfolds through Chalice's eyes as her AI companion, BOB, increasingly takes over her decision-making, leaving her to grapple with an identity crisis in a world that feels increasingly artificial. As her father, Dr. Wong, begins to rely on BOB's guidance over his daughter's instincts, Chalice spirals into escapism, questioning what remains of her humanity when every choice is mediated by code. Cheng's surreal visuals and layered narrative explore themes of autonomy, dependency, and the erosion of human agency in a hyper-connected reality.
Shot as a short film with a runtime of just 48 minutes, *Life After BOB* packs an emotional and philosophical punch, blurring the lines between parenthood and programming. The animation style lends an eerie, dreamlike quality to Chalice's journey, while the sci-fi framework grounds the story in a near-future where technology and emotion are irrevocably intertwined.