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“Soulm8te” Film Details
- Director(s): Kate Dolan
- Writer(s): Rafael Jordan, Kate Dolan
- Based On Work By: James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, Rafael Jordan
- Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 39 Minutes
- Public Release Date (Digital): August 1, 2026
- Genre(s): Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Young Adult
- Content Rating: Rated R
- Primary Language: English
- Images © of / Courtesy Of Universal Pictures
Movie Summary
David, a widow, works for a tech company called Canta Robotics, which was recently bought by the large conglomerate, Ultima Robotix. The new parent company wanted Canta’s work because they were producing something beyond AI that operates in your pocket, but rather an android. Thus far, it has had some flaws, but they believe programmers like David can get the job done.
However, David is a simple man, a lonely man, and one with the ability to remove safeguards. So, as he tests and experiments with his designated model “Sara,” he learns not only why safeguards were put in place, but also of the dangers of AI gaining physical form and being allowed emotions.
Cast and Characters
David (David Rysdahl)
- Character Summary: David is a programmer who, a year ago, became a widow, and, with being forced back into the office, is starting to realize how lonely he truly is.
Sara (Lily Sullivan)
- Character Summary: Sara is one of the many robots that Ultima Robotix has made as a prototype, but this one is assigned to David to test.
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
Wanting To Give Grace To David [82/100]
It would be very easy to blame David for all that happens in Soulm8te. He removed the safeguards, edited Sara’s programming, and did what most people with AI don’t do: Parent them. He was reactionary whenever she did anything, let his curiosity and loneliness lead him, and didn’t put a halt to things once they started to escalate.
But, in his defense, he is a widow. His wife didn’t divorce him; she isn’t portrayed as someone he had complicated feelings about regarding her dying, as if they were on their way to divorce. No. His wife was the love of his life; she was incredibly sweet, charming, and she loved David. He also, seemingly, took care of her while she was dying.
For me, that allowed me to give David grace. I’ve never been married, but let us share in how devastating that could be. Especially considering David is in his early 30s at most, so he likely thought he had another 30+ years with his wife. So for him to want to alter Sara to be someone who would tell him he sucks at chess, would take initiative, and be kind to him? You can’t blame him fully for not having common sense or acting like he never saw a show or movie where this all goes horribly wrong.
Grief changes a person, and David seemingly was struggling with going from being a unit to an individual again. To me, that means some grace. Still some level of accountability for what happens by Sara, bu some level of grace.
The Impossibilities of Perfection [81/100]
In some ways, Soulm8te is Obsession-Lite. It does address how men want this person perfect for them, and will even forcibly change someone, pushing beyond their boundaries (or safeguards) to have what they want. But then, there are the hypocrisies.
You want them sweet and loving, but don’t want to give the type of reassurances that would make someone feel safe enough to do so. You want them to take initiative, but only in the parameters you set. You want them to predict your every need and desire, but barely ask them what they may want and need in return.
Soulm8te isn’t going to spark online debates, as it explores gender dynamics in heterosexual relationships, as it barely seems to desire going too deep on the topic of sexism at all. But, it is easy to imagine, with all the androids being women in this entry of the franchise, what could be done if a sequel was produced with a new line of male robots, and how it takes on and shows them when safeguards are removed.
On The Fence
It’s Forgettable [72/100]
Originally, Soulm8te was to be released in January, one of the graveyard months on the theatrical calendar, and it feels like a movie that belongs in that month. Cinematography-wise, it does feel like a theatrical movie, but quality-wise? It seems like a sleeper hit or something that could make just enough to break even.
For the problem is with Soulm8te is that it doesn’t go far enough. Are some of the kills unique? Yes. However, a female presenting robot, jealous that their owner has a love interest beyond them, is the standard. Her becoming a sex robot, is the standard. Her being played by a conventionally attractive woman, of a certain skin tone – again, one aspect after another feels like it is cut and pace.
Heck, even in terms of David being this nerdy and lonely guy, the only thing they change here is that he was married and has someone, beyond the robot, interested in him. But, as for what makes David attractive? What about his personality, intelligence, maybe him having conventional looks makes him a catch? That isn’t touched upon.
Leaving you with a film that, yeah, if you have A-List, or another theater’s subscription program, and you have nothing to do on a Friday, this is an easy choice. But to pay $20 for? There is a need to ask: what does this film give you to deserve what would be full price for an AMC XL Screening – at least in New Jersey.
Overall
Our Rating (78/100): Mixed (Divisive)
Soulm8te exists in the odd space of having the look of a movie made for theaters but the storyline of a movie made to be released directly on a streaming platform. Because of it being so set in the middle, and released at a hard-to-justify $19.99 price, before taxes, we have mixed feelings about this.
Yes, David is crafted so he isn’t completely generic, and there is some effort to address the hypocrisy regarding heterosexual dating and expectations for women. But everything is too simple, too formulaic, and it just makes Soulm8te feel like it wasn’t a lost opportunity for a good theatrical release for Universal, but justifiably, with little fanfare, released on a Saturday, with little promotion.
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