'SOULM8TE', a dark M3GAN spin-off about an AI companion, releases digitally on August 1

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Universal's new movie SOULM8TE is coming to digital platforms on August 1

The plot is very similar to recent horror hit Obsession

SOULM8TE is a spin-off to the 2022 movie M3GAN , focusing on more adult themes

If you haven't seen Obsession yet, you need to. It's performed incredibly well at the box office and has become one of the most successful new movies of 2026. I was so impressed by it that I've been desperately wanting a similar thriller to watch next, and SOULM8TE seems like the perfect choice.

SOULM8TE follows a grieving engineer tasked with testing a ruthless tech giant’s new AI companion where he programs her to be a sentient soulmate. I'm sure absolutely nothing will go wrong there.

Instead of getting a theatrical release, you can watch SOULM8TE at home from August 1. It won't be available on the best streaming services just yet, and instead you can purchase it from these digital platforms .

Take a look at the trailer below to see what's in store.

Disturbing romance stories are on the rise

Sophie Thatcher in A24's Companion . (Image credit: Warner Bros.) We have seen a lot of stories like this in recent months, and I'm definitely enjoying the trend of romance with a dark twist.

Companion is another movie with similar vibes to SOULM8TE , as it follows a woman named Iris who learns she is actually a companion robot who is controlled by her boyfriend via his phone.

That lack of autonomy is a terrifying thing, and audiences definitely have an appetite for these thought provoking tales centered around relationships, consent, and a rise in technology such as AI.

Whilst Obsession doesn't feature the android aspect, it does explore the horrors of a woman not being in control of her own actions due to supernatural intervention by a magical toy. There, someone's wish turns into a living nightmare.

If SOULM8TE doesn't interest you, there's plenty more horror movies for you to enjoy. Recently, Backrooms got an extended cut which is now in theaters or you can check out my guide to the best horror movies on streaming services in July .