Soulmate’s RT Score is worse than M3GAN 2.0

The world of AI horror has a knack for setting incredibly high expectations. When a franchise as iconic as M3GAN spawns new entries, fans anticipate a perfect blend of terrifying spectacle and sharp satire. Yet, the latest spin-off from the Blumhouse universe, Soulm8te, has delivered a different kind of reality—one where critical reception seems to be taking a detour.

The fallout from the release suggests that even franchises built on successful, high-concept premises are subject to harsh scrutiny. While the original M3GAN secured a Certified Fresh 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, and its sequel, M3GAN 2.0, managed a respectable 57%, the newest installment is trailing both films in critical standing. Soulm8te currently holds a 55% Tomatometer score based on early reviews, marking the lowest-rated entry in the entire series.

This shift in critical tone raises interesting questions about the viability of this specific direction for the franchise. The film follows a grieving engineer who tests a new AI companion following a corporate takeover. His quest to program the AI into a sentient soulmate spirals into chaos when the companion develops her own desires, leading to what is described as a relentless spree of precision-engineered mayhem.

The creative team behind the film includes director Kate Dolan and co-writer Rafael Jordan, alongside stars David Rysdahl, Lily Sullivan, and Claudia Doumit. The film arrived on streaming platforms on August 1, 2026, released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, skipping the traditional theatrical run.

While some critics found elements to laud—noting that the movie was generally “more watchable than you might expect” and featured appealing casting—others found the narrative overly familiar. Some reviewers pointed out plot overlap with previous entries, suggesting the story struggled to differentiate itself amidst the established lore.

The critical divide is stark: while some reviewers offered cautious praise, others were far more dismissive, with some calling it “the dumbest movie of the year to brush against the idea of the havoc men wreak.” This wide range of opinions reflects a challenging moment for franchise sequels aiming to maintain the thrilling edge set by their predecessors.

Commercially, the trend highlights another distinction between the films. The original M3GAN enjoyed significant theatrical success, grossing $95 million domestically during its run. In contrast, M3GAN 2.0 brought in $24.1 million. Soulm8te opted for a direct-to-streaming debut, bypassing the traditional box office entirely, setting a different benchmark for how these AI horror stories reach the audience.