The Replicant Child

Lore & Background

In Blade Runner 2049 the discovery of Rachael's remains shows that a replicant gave birth; Lt. Joshi fears a war between humans and replicants and orders K to retire the child and destroy the evidence. The child is kept hidden to protect them from those who would exploit or destroy this proof of life.

Reader's Guide

The concept of the Replicant Child emerges as the central mystery connecting the original film and its sequel. While the first movie ends with ambiguity regarding Rachael's fate and her relationship with Deckard, later narrative entries confirm that she survived long enough to conceive a child. This birth is significant because it breaks the established rule that replicants cannot reproduce naturally. It was possible because Rachael was the only Nexus-7, a prototype Eldon Tyrell designed to be able to reproduce; the secret died with him. In the timeline of 2049, this child becomes a legendary figure among the replicant underground, a symbol of hope that they can have families and futures. The secrecy surrounding the child's location drives much of the plot tension, as various factions seek to either protect or eliminate this living proof of their potential equality with humanity.

Did You Know?

• The child's birth is the only known instance of natural reproduction by a replicant in the entire franchise history.
• Deckard left the child with the replicant freedom movement and scrambled her birth records, then disappeared so that she could not be found through him.
• The replicant underground sees her birth as a miracle and believes her to be their savior.
• She was passed off as a human child at Mister Cotton's orphanage, and as an adult she lives in a sterile clean-room.