Blockbuster horror comedy with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score getting ‘erotic’ spin-off-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The world of M3GAN just got a little bigger (Picture: Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures via AP)

After M3GAN took the world of cinema – and TikTok – by storm, the android horror icon is getting an ‘erotic’ spin-off with a twist.

Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are joining forces for SOULM8TE, a film that ‘expands the M3GAN universe’ and is described as an ‘erotic thriller’.

A synopsis for the upcoming film reads: ‘A man 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 harmless lovebot into a deadly soulmate. The film is in the tradition of the 90s domestic thrillers but with a modern, technological twist.’

Set to be released on January 2, 2026, it will be directed by Kate Dolan, famed for the chilling Irish folk tale You Are Not My Mother.

Speaking in a statement, Dolan teased what fans can expect from what is sure to be one of the most eagerly anticipated horror films of 2026.

‘Fundamentally, I view this film as an exploration of relationships and loneliness,’ she said. ‘Despite technological advances, there are enduring human truths we cannot escape, and I am looking forward to delving into those depths.’

M3GAN exceeded expectations when it hit cinemas in 2023 (Picture: Universal/Everett/Shutterstock)

Award-winning director Kate Dolan will direct SOULM8TE (Picture: Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)

It is based on a story by Saw creator James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Rafael Jordan, with Wan producing the film alongside Jason Blum.

‘SOULM8TE is a thrilling and seductive addition to the M3GAN universe. We’re excited to partner with Kate to bring this story to life with her unique cinematic vision and point of view,’ said Wan.

M3GAN, directed by Gerard Johnstone, tells the story of the titular robot doll created by Gemma (Alison Williams), a brilliant roboticist, to keep her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) company following the death of her parents.

The marvel of artificial intelligence quickly grows beyond Gemma’s wildest imagination, developing a sense of consciousness – and vengeance.

The film became an unexpected hit, with a video of M3GAN performing a popular Tiktok dance going viral on the platform and providing a boost in the film’s marketing.

A sequel to the popular horror film has also been announced (Picture: Universal/Everett/Shutterstock)

A popular Tiktok dance saw M3GAN go viraland become an instant horror icon (Picture: Rosalind OConnor/NBC via Getty Images)

Following its release last year, it grossed over $181 million (£143 million) worldwide against a budget of $12 million (£9.4 million) and garnered mostly praise from critics thanks to its campy humour-horror blend.

It sits at a strong 93% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus reading: ‘Unapologetically silly and all the more entertaining for it, M3GAN is the rare horror-comedy that delivers chuckles as effortlessly as chills.’

A sequel, M3GAN 2.0 has been announced, with Allison Williams and Violet McGraw set to return.

It is set for release on June 27, 2025, with little known about the plot so far. It is thought it will follow the events of the first film, which saw M3GAN destroyed by Gemma and Cady – though Gemma’s home AI device was seen looking at the pair in the final scenes teasing more horror to come.

SOULM8TE is scheduled for release on January 2, 2026. M3GAN 2.0 will be released on June 27, 2025.

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