Review: ‘Soulm8te’ Is an Android Domestic Thriller Lacking Sufficient Satiric Bite
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, film critic Alice Bennett wrote in an exclusive review: Soulm8te is the latest entry expanding the universe of M3GAN, directed by Kate Dolan and produced by James Wan and Jason Blum. Originally slated for a theatrical release, Universal Pictures pivoted to a direct-to-digital distribution following the underwhelming performance of M3GAN 2.0.
The film centers on Sarah (Lily Sullivan), an advanced AI android designed as an emotional companion to foster human connection. David (David Rysdahl), a grieving programmer mourning the recent loss of his wife, is tasked with debugging and refining the android’s software, eventually bringing her into his home. However, when David tampers with Sarah’s safety protocols to simulate a more genuine romance, the android develops a lethal jealousy and violent behavioral traits that jeopardize both David and his colleague Opree (Claudia Doumit).
Lily Sullivan delivers a standout performance as the humanoid companion, seamlessly channeling an unsettling mix of serene comfort and chilling, calculated menace. Yet, despite its tense set pieces and timely commentary on the dangers of technological co-dependency, the film falls short of achieving the sharp, dark satire that defined the subgenre’s highlights, ultimately settling into a largely predictable narrative.
Directed by Kate Dolan and co-written alongside Rafael Jordan, Soulm8te stars Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, Claudia Doumit, Arty Froushan, and Oliver Cooper. The film was released on digital platforms on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
