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“Soulm8te,” the third installment in the “M3GAN” franchise, follows a familiar formula more reminiscent of “Fatal Attraction” than original science fiction. The film centers on David, a grieving widower employed in technology who becomes a test subject for an artificial intelligence companion designed to address societal loneliness. After initially using a voice-based emotional support application, David agrees to evaluate the physical version of Soulm8te, christening the android Sara. What begins as a convenient domestic arrangement gradually transforms into obsession and violence.
Director Kate Dolan brings technical competence to the production, and performers David Rysdahl and Claudia Doumit inject authenticity into their conventionally sketched roles. However, the screenplay fails to establish Sara as a believable machine, instead presenting her as a possessive individual from the outset. Once the narrative pivots toward standard psychological thriller territory, any semblance of science fiction credibility dissolves entirely.
Universal opted to distribute the film directly to digital platforms beginning August 1st, bypassing traditional theatrical release across multiple regions. While the production demonstrates professional execution throughout, critics note that the material remains fundamentally constrained by predictable genre conventions. The film appears destined for commercial viability as streaming content, though its formulaic approach suggests limited prospects for franchise expansion.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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