What Is Not Quite Human About?
The premise of Not Quite Human in 329 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a slightly off‑kilter suburb where the line between science and everyday life blurs, Dr. Jonas Carson has devoted his genius to a singular, heart‑warming experiment. He creates an android that looks and acts like a typical teenager, hoping to answer a question that has haunted inventors for generations: can a machine truly belong to a community? The project is as much a personal odyssey as it is a technical feat, and Carson treats his creation as a member of his own family.
The android, christened Chip, steps out of the laboratory and into the bustling corridors of a local high school, where he will share lockers, classes, and cafeteria tables with Becky, Carson’s bright‑spirited daughter. Their dynamic is a delicate dance of sibling‑like rivalry and protective affection; Carson watches closely, posing as a teacher to monitor how his mechanical son navigates the messy, unpredictable world of adolescence. The school itself becomes a laboratory of social interaction, brimming with the quirks, cliques, and rites of passage that define teenage life.
The film balances sleek sci‑fi concepts with the warm, comedic beats of a coming‑of‑age story. Chip’s literal interpretations of idioms and his earnest attempts to fit in generate both slapstick moments and tender reflections on identity. The tone is buoyant yet thoughtful, inviting viewers to wonder whether empathy, humor, and the simple desire to be accepted are qualities that can be programmed—or if they emerge only through lived experience.
Behind the bright hallway lights, a subtle undercurrent of tension looms: Carson’s former employer, whose ties to the defense industry hint at a more utilitarian view of the android, watches the experiment with a calculating eye. This quiet pressure adds a layer of intrigue, reminding the audience that the quest for belonging often collides with forces that see technology as a commodity rather than a companion. The stage is set for a heartfelt exploration of what it means to be human in a world where the extraordinary can appear ordinary.
What Happens in Not Quite Human?
The complete story of Not Quite Human, from the first scene to the last, in 467 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) builds an android that looks and behaves like a teenage boy, and he treats this creation as both a son and an older brother to Becky Robyn Lively. When the family relocates, Chip (Jay Underwood) enrolls in the local high school alongside Becky, while Dr. Carson takes a teaching post there so he can observe Chip’s social interactions up close and gauge how he fits into the world of teenagers.
Chip’s presence brings a mix of awkwardness and humor to the hallways of the school. His literal interpretations and unpredictable antics frustrate Coach Duckworth and several strict teachers, yet his offbeat approach also earns him a surprising circle of friends who see him as someone bucking the system in a unique, endearing way. Amid the new social landscape, he also catches the attention of Erin Kristy Swanson, a fellow student who becomes part of his evolving high school life.
Behind the scenes, Gordon Vogel (Joseph Bologna)—a former employer with defense contractor ties—begins to close in on Carson. His associate, J.J. Derks (Robert Harper), is recruited to track Carson down. When Derks asks about Carson’s supposed son, he’s told that Carson only has a daughter—until he recalls Carson’s younger confession about the android project. Vogel makes it clear that Chip is his property and that he intends to reprogram him for military purposes, setting in motion a dangerous pursuit.
Chip and Carson are soon kidnapped by Vogel and Derks, who push to reprogram Chip despite the android’s built-in safeguards. Chip was designed with a self-destruct mechanism if reprogrammed without Carson’s password, presenting a race against time as Jonas and Becky trace them to a junkyard. There, Vogel holds Chip in a van and tries to force the password from Carson. When Carson refuses to reveal it, Derks begins the reprogramming, triggering Chip’s anti-reprogramming defenses. At Becky’s urging, Jonas relents and provides the password to prevent Chip’s destruction. Derks presses on, and Vogel attempts to move Chip inside a wooden crate bound for Washington, D.C. to secure a patent for his creation.
In a cunning turn, Chip tricks Vogel into climbing into the crate himself and slams the lid shut, leaving Derks to retreat with a false signal. Chip then executes a daring rescue, pulling the van’s power lines to short-circuit a car-crushing machine and freeing Jonas and Becky. Back at home, Jonas and Becky try to revive Chip, but the initial effort seems to fail. Just as they fear they’ve lost him, Chip stirs on the table and reunites with his family, raising the moment with a poignant question.
“Am I a real human now?”
Jonas smiles with warmth and answers, “You’re as human as they get!” The trio embraces as the credits begin, underscoring a quiet, hopeful triumph of humanity and belonging.
Not Quite Human Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Creation of Chip” to “Chip's revival and family embrace”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Creation of Chip
Dr. Jonas Carson builds an android that looks like a teenage boy. He introduces the creation to Becky, who names him Chip. The android is adopted as Carson's son and as an older brother to Becky.
When:early in the timeline Where:Carson's lab/home
- 2
Move to a new town and high school enrollment
Carson moves to a new town and takes a science teaching job at the local high school, so Chip can enroll as a student. Becky becomes Chip's sister in this new environment, and Carson watches how Chip navigates his social life. Chip quickly adjusts to high school life, drawing attention with his unusual literal approach.
When:shortly after moving Where:New town and high school
- 3
Chip's high school integration
Chip's literal view of the world leads to awkward and humorous moments with teachers and students. He clashes with Coach Duckworth and strict teachers who misread his intent. Yet some students admire him for challenging the system, and Erin notices him.
When:weeks after enrollment Where:High school
- 4
Stalking begins
Behind the scenes, Gordon Vogel and Derks begin stalking Carson and Chip after the move. Vogel sees Chip as his property if he can prove ownership and get a stake in the android's potential military use. They begin to lay plans to capture Chip.
When:soon after move Where:Shadowy locations around town
- 5
Origin revealed and plan to reprogram
During a secret meeting, Derks reveals that Carson once told friends about his idea to make a realistic android. Vogel confirms they intend to reprogram Chip for military purposes. The plan grows more urgent as they decide to seize Chip.
When:later that day Where:Derks' meeting location / Vogel's hideout
- 6
Chip is kidnapped
Vogel and Derks abduct Chip and attempt to reprogram him. They soon discover that Chip has a self-destruct mechanism triggered if Carson's password is not provided. The threat highlights the stakes of recovering Chip.
When:night Where:Kidnapping site
- 7
Pursuit to the junkyard
Jonas and Becky track Chip to a junkyard where Vogel is holding him. Vogel traps them inside a van, turning a tense pursuit into a confrontation. The trio becomes focused on stopping the kidnapping and protecting Chip.
When:evening Where:junkyard
- 8
Password dilemma and reprogramming attempt
Derks begins reprogramming Chip using an anti-reprogramming device. Carson initially resists sharing the password but eventually relents under pressure from Becky who urges him to protect Chip. Chip remains in danger as the process unfolds.
When:continuation Where:Vogel's van, junkyard
- 9
The crate trap and escape plan
Chip uses his wits to lure Vogel into a wooden crate that is meant to transport him to Washington, D.C. Chip slams the crate lid shut, trapping Vogel and convincing Derks to drive away. Chip's action foils the reprogramming attempt and buys time for a rescue.
When:soon after Where:junkyard
- 10
Rescue from the car crusher
Chip saves Jonas and Becky by disabling the car crushing machine, short-circuiting the system. Vogel tries to pull Chip away, but Chip overcomes the trap and ensures the others are safe. The junkyard becomes a scene of chaos as the danger is averted.
When:moments after crate incident Where:junkyard
- 11
Desperate attempt to revive Chip
Jonas brings Chip home to revive him, hoping for a miracle. The attempt to revive fails, and the family mourns the apparent loss of Chip. They share a quiet moment realizing how much Chip has become part of their lives.
When:after the rescue Where:Carson home
- 12
Chip's revival and family embrace
Chip suddenly reawakens, startling Jonas and Becky. He asks if he is a real human, and Jonas responds that he is as human as they get. The three embrace as the film ends and a new chapter for Chip begins.
When:ending Where:Home
Who Are the Main Characters in Not Quite Human?
6 characters, among them Chip Carson (Jay Underwood), Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) and Becky Carson (Robyn Lively): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CC
Chip Carson (Jay Underwood)
Played by Jay Underwood
An android boy built by Dr. Jonas Carson who must navigate high school life with literal interpretations and a growing sense of individuality. His quest for belonging clashes with adults' expectations and the intentions of those who would use him for profit or power.
- 🤖 Android
- 🧠 Learning
- 👦 Teen
- DJ
Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke)
Played by Alan Thicke
A brilliant scientist who creates Chip and acts as a protective, paternal figure. He balances scientific ambition with moral responsibility as Vogel and Derks close in on their invention.
- 🧪 Scientist
- 👨👩👦 Father figure
- 🧭 Ethics
-
Becky Carson (Robyn Lively)
Played by Robyn Lively
Jonas’s daughter who befriends Chip, helping him navigate social norms and find a sense of family alongside her father. She becomes a key ally in protecting Chip from danger.
- 👭 Sibling-like ally
- 💬 Communicator
- 🕵️ Curious
- GV
Gordon Vogel (Joseph Bologna)
Played by Joseph Bologna
A defense contractor and former employer who seeks Chip for reprogramming and military purposes, acting as the film’s primary antagonist.
- 🎯 Antagonist
- 💼 Corporate power
- 🧯 Risk
- JD
J.J. Derks (Robert Harper)
Played by Robert Harper
Vogel’s associate who questions the plan to reprogram Chip and becomes involved in the pursuit, highlighting the ethical conflicts within corporate interests.
- 🧭 Moral conflict
- 🕵️ Investigator
- 🧪 Tech ethics
-
Eron Jeffries (Kristy Swanson)
Played by Kristy Swanson
A fellow student who notices Chip’s differences and becomes an ally as he learns to navigate teenage life and social dynamics.
- 🎒 Student
- 💬 Social ally
- 👭 Friend
Where and When Is Not Quite Human Set?
Not Quite Human is set in Suburban American town, local high school, junkyard, Washington and D.C. (1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1980s
Set in the late 1980s United States, a period of rapid advances in personal computing and robotics. The era shapes the story with gadgetry, school life, and corporate intrigue driving the plot. The era's social and technological anxieties are mirrored in Chip’s quest to be understood as human.
Where
Suburban American town, local high school, junkyard, Washington, D.C.
The story unfolds in a late-1980s suburban American town, centered around a new high school where Chip attends with Becky. The junkyard serves as a pivotal location for confrontations and escapes involving Vogel and the reprogramming attempt. Washington, D.C. is the destination where Chip might be patented, highlighting the tension between family life and corporate intent amid a tech thriller backdrop.
- 🏞 Suburban setting
- 🏫 School life
- 🗑 Junkyard
What Are the Themes of Not Quite Human?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Family and Ethics.
-
01
Identity
Chip Carson is an android designed to pass as a human teenager, raising questions about what constitutes personhood. The film follows his learning and social navigation as he attends school and forms bonds. His pursuit of belonging prompts characters to reconsider what it means to be truly human.
-
02
Family
Dr. Jonas Carson adopts Chip and treats him as a son, while Becky helps him fit into a human family. The trio's dynamics anchor the story, balancing care with secrecy as threats loom. The bond between inventor, android, and sister drives the emotional core of the film through danger and rescue.
-
03
Ethics
Vogel's efforts to seize Chip for military use and patenting raise questions about the exploitation of sentient machines. The plot contrasts scientific ambition with responsibility toward created life. The password-protected self-destruct mechanism embodies the moral limits of technological power.
What Kind of Film Is Not Quite Human?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A gentle, family-friendly comedy with a whimsical premise that blends low-stakes high school awkwardness with a heartwarming story about the meaning of humanity and belonging.
- lighthearted
- quirky
- family-friendly
- whimsical
- gentle
- playful
- artificial intelligence
- family bonding
- high school life
- scientific ethics
Content notes: kidnapping.
Quiz
How well do you remember Not Quite Human? Test yourself on the story.
