While watching this film, there arises the question of what or who Atom is meant to represent. At first, one might think that it’s Max. After all, Atom starts off mimicking Max’s movements (using his shadow function). Charlie also starts off wanting nothing to do with Atom and leaving him, then warming up to him, just like his feelings for Max. However, when the entirety of the film comes into play, it is made obvious that Atom is meant to represent Charlie. More specifically, he symbolizes Charlie’s redemption in the eyes of Max.
Let’s start from when we first meet Atom. It happens when Max slides down the mudslide and is saved from falling to his death by Atom’s outstretched arm. Moments later, Charlie appears and uses his own outstretched arm to pull Max to safety. This is the first parallel. When Max first unearths Atom, he is enamored by him. Atom is old, dirty, and broken- a forgotten fighter replaced by the next big thing just like Charlie- yet Max reacts as if he is the coolest thing he has ever seen.
Charlie, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with Atom. He is disgusted by him and becomes upset that Max would even want to waste his time with Atom. The reality of this becomes more apparent as the film goes on: despite his seemingly cocky attitude, Charlie does not believe he is good enough for Max. The more he grows to love Max, the more he hates himself for abandoning him and not being the father he believes Max deserves. On the other hand, Max sees the good in Charlie when he doesn’t see it in himself. He sees how great Charlie can become. And, just like with Atom, he decides to do something about it.
Max spends the whole night digging Atom out of the mud and filth himself, then carting him back to the truck. He barely sleeps trying to repair Atom and get him into fighting shape. He needs Atom to live up to the potential that he sees in him, just like he needs Charlie to. At first, Max asks Charlie to teach Atom his moves, but Charlie refuses. He can’t see how Atom can be any good as a fighter, just like he can’t see how he himself is any good. But Max refuses to give up on Atom, just like he refuses to give up on Charlie.
Eventually, Charlie agrees to teach Atom his moves and this is where their connection is most obviously established. Max continues to do his dancing routine while Charlie controls Atom during the fights. Making Atom the widely adored, underdog robot is a joint effort, just like Charlie’s redemption is a joint effort. By controlling Atom, Charlie is becoming the fighter he once was. However, it is Max’s “dancing” personality and belief in him that makes him a better father. The building up of both Charlie and Atom causes Charlie and Max to form a better relationship.
However, Charlie’s past soon catches up with him. Ricky shows up with his goons to punish Charlie for running out on him when he owes him money. Charlie, a changed man, offers him the money upfront. But Ricky won’t accept this; he’s still angry at Charlie. This results in Charlie being badly beaten up in front of Max. He lays there in the mud, dirty and broken, with Max leaning over him, a direct parallel to when Max first found Atom.
This seals the deal for Charlie: he’s put Max in direct danger and doesn’t think Max is better off having him around. So, he gives Max back to Debra. As he is trying to convince Max that this is better for him, Max tells him that all he’s ever wanted is for Charlie to fight for him. This gives us a clear explanation of what these robot fights have been representing all along: Atom was the washed up, unwanted fighter until Max found him, connected with him, built him up, and gave him a fighting chance. Likewise, Charlie himself was a washed up, unloved fighter until Max appeared, connected with him, and gave him the chance to fight for Max.
While talking to Bailey, Charlie reflects on how he screwed up what seemed to be his one chance of having a proper relationship with Max. Bailey insists that Max thinks more of Charlie than he knows because he looks at Charlie the same way she looked at her dad. Charlie realizes his mistake and goes back to Max. He apologizes for everything and tells him that they got the Zeus fight that Max was so desperately wanting.
This Zeus fight is important because, originally, Charlie wanted to give up and hand Atom over to Farra and Tak for the money. He wanted to run away, like he always did. However, Max saw more in Atom than Charlie did, as stated before. He was the one who challenged Zeus to the fight, because he wanted to fight for “the little guy”, just like he wanted Charlie to fight for him and their relationship. By passing up the opportunity to gain more money and taking the fight with Zeus even though he’s sure they will lose, Charlie is showing he’s changed and is willing to fight for Max, no matter the consequences.
The fight with Zeus happens, and the connection between Charlie and Atom is made more apparent than ever before. Due to a malfunction, Charlie is forced to use Atom’s shadow function in the fight. Atom matches Zeus’ strength by mimicking Charlie’s moves. While this is happening, Bailey witnesses the moment she was talking about earlier- Max looking at Charlie with absolute adoration. It’s with this moment that Charlie finally becomes worthy of being the father that Max has seen in him all along- he’s finally fought for him. Despite the loss in this fight against Zeus, the people consider Atom the champion. Despite all his screwups, Max considers Charlie’s fight for him won.
During this conclusion, the film hits the nail on the head with Atom representing Charlie. Earlier in the film, Max learns that Atom can understand him and tells him, “don’t worry, your secret's safe with me”. After they win the Zeus fight, Charlie seems to try and tell Max that he loves him but can’t find the words. Max responds, “don’t worry, your secret's safe with me”.
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