M3GAN was the surprise horror hit of 2023, creating an instant icon in the dancing killer robot doll. So it came as no shock when they fast-tracked a sequel, M3GAN 2.0. Now, a spin-off of M3GAN is on its way as well, as Atomic Monster, Blumhouse, and Universal are developing SOULM8TE, a new film expanding on the M3GAN universe. SOULM8TE releases in theaters on January 2, 2026. Described as a throwback ’90s style erotic thriller with a technological twist, Kate Dolan will direct the film. The original script is by Rafael Jordan, with the story by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Jordan.
Per Deadline, the movie will star Lily Sullivan and David Rysdahl. Additionally, The Boys actress Claudia Doumit has reportedly come aboard the movie.
According to the official description for SOULM8TE, the story centers on a man who acquires an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. In an attempt to create a truly sentient partner, he inadvertently turns a seemingly harmless robot into a deadly soulmate. In short, it sounds like it’s Fatal Attraction meets Short Circuit. And we’re totally here for that. We’re not entirely sure how much the world of this movie will actually connect to M3GAN, although we are hoping we see her pop up in some capacity. M3GAN 2.0 will arrive in theaters first, on June 27, 2025.
We hope that SOULM8TE is the kind of campy fun that M3GAN was, only with a more R-rated adult skew. Back in the ’80s, and especially the ’90s, the erotic thriller was one of the top genres at the worldwide box office. Movies like Basic Instinct enthralled audiences everywhere with their sexy suspense stories. Ok, so they were a little ridiculous too, which is why we still love them. Maybe for today’s audience, the only way to truly bring the genre back is to have an erotic killer robot. Universal Pictures’ SOULM8TE hits theaters on January 2, 2026.
Originally published on June 20, 2024.
