After being removed from Universal’s theatrical calendar late last year, the “M3GAN” AI robot spinoff “Soulm8te” is moving forward as a straight-to-digital release. It will be available to rent on digital platforms starting August 1 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
The erotic thriller features a technological twist. According to the film’s synopsis, “Soulm8te” “follows a grieving engineer tasked with testing a ruthless tech giant’s new artificially intelligent android. But when he attempts to program her to be a truly sentient soulmate, she develops needs of her own — unleashing a relentless spree of precision-engineered mayhem.”
“M3GAN,” the original sci-fi horror film was a major success after it hit theaters in 2023, accumulating more than $181 million worldwide at the box office. But its sequel, “M3GAN 2.0,” didn’t gross nearly as much as the first film, as it brought in $10 million domestically in its opening last June and ended its theatrical run with just $39 million worldwide.
The cast includes Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, Claudia Doumit and Arty Froushan. Kate Dolan (“You Are Not My Mother”) directed “Soulm8te” with the story by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu and Jordan. In a statement announcing the film, Dolan said it is meant to be an “exploration of relationships and loneliness.” She added, “Despite technological advances, there are enduring human truths we cannot escape, and I am looking forward to delving into those depths.”
Wan and Jason Blum produce “Soulm8te,” while Michael Clear and Judson Scott (of Wan’s Atomic Monster banner) executive produce, along with Bisu. Alayna Glasthal oversaw the project on behalf of Atomic Monster.
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Watch the trailer for “Soulm8te” below: