Blumhouse and Universal have unveiled the first trailer for "Soulm8te," an erotic thriller spinning off from the universe of the killer doll film "M3GAN." The movie is set for a straight-to-digital release on August 1.
"Soulm8te" focuses on a software engineer (David Rysdahl) who, following his wife's death, is tasked by his employer with testing an advanced android designed to serve as a romantic partner. The trailer suggests this premise quickly devolves into violence, with the android, portrayed by Lily Sullivan, exhibiting lethal behavior reminiscent of a "Terminator-like antagonist."
Directed by Kate Dolan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Rafael Jordan, the film is a production of Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, with distribution handled by Universal Pictures. Dolan described the project's origins, noting the initial surprise at being asked to create an erotic thriller within the "M3GAN-verse." She commented on the societal relevance of the film, stating, "We exist in a bizarre time where companies sell us ‘connection’ through apps, algorithms, and AI. Yet those are the same forces pulling us apart. The lonelier we get, the more dependent we become on the tools doing the pulling."
Dolan suggested that "Soulm8te" is intended to be enjoyed with a sense of detached amusement, comparing it to cult films like "Basic Instinct" or "Showgirls." The film's intended tone appears to embrace its own absurdity, encouraging viewers to engage with it in a lighthearted, communal fashion.
Originally slated for a theatrical run, "Soulm8te's" release strategy shifted, likely influenced by the box office performance of "M3GAN 2.0." While the first "M3GAN" film achieved significant success with $181.8 million worldwide, its sequel garnered only $39.1 million. This difference in performance appears to have led to "Soulm8te" being rerouted to a digital release. Following its digital debut, the film is expected to become available on subscription streaming services, likely Peacock, given Universal's involvement.
The film enters a genre populated by stories exploring artificial intelligence and dangerous relationships, drawing parallels to titles such as "Ex Machina" and certain episodes of "Black Mirror." Viewers will soon have the opportunity to see how "Soulm8te" distinguishes itself when it becomes available in August.