What happens when your friend-making robot is worse at making friends than you are? Well, things tend to get messy.

In the upcoming animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong, middle schooler Barney goes on a series of misadventures when his digital BFF Ron turns out to be a little… off.

I’m always a little apprehensive of stories about kids’ stories about technology; I think they’re too often inclined to oversimplify the issue into “technology = bad!” But the trailer did include a little joke about an adult’s dependence on their phone, so maybe Ron’s Gone Wrong won’t settle too much into that black-and-white take.

Little Robot Ron is pretty cute though. He reminds me a bit of Baymax from Big Hero 6. The trailer also highlights Liam Payne’s single “Sunshine,” which will feature in the film.

Ron’s Gone Wrong is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend out of the Box.” Ron’s hilarious malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship.

The film features the voices of Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Olivia Colman, Ed Helms, Justice Smith, Rob Delaney, Kylie Cantrall, Ricardo Hurtado, Marcus Scribner, and Thomas Barbusca. 

Ron's Gone Wrong poster

Ron’s Gone Wrong hits theaters this October.

So, what did you think of the trailer? Are you already set on making Ron your new best friend? Let us know in the comments.

Meanwhile, check back to THS for more animation updates.

Source: Disney