Everything We Know About The M3GAN Spinoff

Spinning off from the horror film M3GAN, a brand-new technological terror is in the works entitled SOULM8TE, and there are already exciting details, including a release date. 2022’s M3GAN brought the fear of modern technology to the forefront as it told the story of an AI-powered doll that was developed to help children cope with the loneliness and loss. Naturally, the titular doll goes haywire and uses circular logic to justify destroying anyone and anything that gets between her and her primary objective. M3GAN‘s unique brand of tech-hysteria is incredibly prescient, and SOULM8TE will continue that trend.

It didn’t take long for M3GAN 2.0 to get a green light, and the franchise is already expanding further with the new spinoff. SOULM8TE is a natural continuation of the ideas explored in M3GAN, but will instead focus on the loneliness of adulthood as opposed to the innocence seen in its predecessor. This quick expansion into a bona fide cinematic universe is helping Blumhouse stay ahead of the curve, especially as new technological advancements open the door for more and more frightening opportunities at the movies. With a release date already stamped,SOULM8TE is well on its way.

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SOULM8TE Latest News

Claudia Doumit Is Cast

With the movie’s release date set and work already progressing, the latest news confirms an alum from The Boys has been cast in SOULM8TE. Claudia Doumit turned heads in her recurring role as Victoria Neuman in the satirical superhero series on Amazon Prime Video, and now she has been tapped to play a role in the upcoming M3GAN spinoff. Nothing is known about Doumit’s SOULM8TE role quite yet, but she joins David Rysdahl (No Exit) and Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) who have already been cast.

SOULM8TE Release Date

The Technological Terror Arrives In 2026

Playing the long game, Blumhouse has already announced the release date for the upcoming M3GAN spinoff, SOULM8TE, but it will be quite some time before that date actually arrives. Having announced the movie in June 2024, Blumhouse has revealed that SOULM8TE won’t hit theaters until January 2, 2026. With such a distant release date, it’s possible that the premiere could be changed to facilitate production delays, or to avoid competition at the box office.

The extended release date also comes after the debut of M3GAN 2.0, and it could be that the franchise is being specifically blocked out like the MCU or other cinematic universes. While there’s been no news confirming that the two movies are specifically linked, the fact that SOULM8TE is being tagged as a spinoff suggests there will be overlap. This could mean that there will be information about the spinoff in the upcoming sequel.

Who Is Making SOULM8TE?

A Horror All-Star Team Is Behind The Project

Though many details about the film remain elusive, there is a veritable all-star team of horror working behind the scenes on SOULM8TE. First and foremost, the film is being produced by the hit horror movie factory Blumhouse, and is being co-produced by James Wan through his Atomic Monster label. Blumhouse oversaw the production of 2022’s M3GAN and has delivered a slew of hit films over the past decade and a half. Wan is no light-weight himself, having created the Saw, Insidious, and Conjuring franchises.

The movie is being directed by relative newcomer Kate Dolan who first turned heads with her 2017 horror short film Catcalls. However, Dolan’s first feature, 2021’s You Are Not My Mother, gained her the most attention and she brought new life into the folk horror genre. Dolan also rewrote the script, which was originally penned by Rafael Jordan from a story by Wan and Ingrid Bisu.

SOULM8TE Cast Details

Lily Sullivan Plays The AI Doll

As the upcoming thriller continues to take shape, major casting announcements have already been made. Perhaps most importantly, SOULM8TE has found its AI monster and has tapped Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) to portray the burgeoning horror icon. Nothing is known about Sullivan’s doll character, and it’s clear she will be more humanlike than M3GAN. Joining Sullivan is David Rysdahl (Fargo), who will play a lonely man who turns to AI companionship after the tragic death of his wife. Claudia Doumit (The Boys) has also been cast in an undisclosed role.

The known cast of SOULM8TE includes:

Actor	SOULM8TE Role
David Rysdahl	Unknown Lead
Lily Sullivan	Unknown AI
Claudia Doumit	Unknown

SOULM8TE Story Details

A Love Letter To The Domestic Thrillers Of The Past

With many aspects of the spinoff still being kept under wraps, only the bare basics of the story of SOULM8TE have been announced. In the film, a man (David Rysdahl) will turn to technology to help cope with the loss of his wife by acquiring an AI-powered android (Lily Sullivan). As with M3GAN, his robotic girlfriend will quickly turn into a dangerous threat, though the element of erotic thrillers is a welcome change of pace from the aforementioned predecessor.

The film has been described as a call-back to the domestic thrillers of previous decades, and it will likely use movies like Single White Female and Fatal Attraction as a compass. However, it clearly aims to add a touch of modern flare to the classic relationship-gone-bad formula by tapping into fears about the rising encroachment of technology into day to day life. SOULM8TE will undoubtedly keep the audience on the edge of their seats while offering a stark warning about the dehumanizing effect of technology.