automatons

His 1927 masterpiece 'Metropolis' features the iconic robot Maria, exploring humanity's relationship with artificial beings in a dystopian society.

'Modern Times' (1936) uses the automaton theme metaphorically to critique industrial mechanization and the dehumanization of workers.

'Stalker' and 'Solaris' explore consciousness and humanity through encounters with artificial or alien intelligences, questioning what defines sentience.