Renner is set to release in 2025, directed by Robert Rippberger. The film features Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Marcia Gay Harden, Taylor Gray, and Craig Lamar Traylor.
SYNOPSIS: A brilliant computer programmer creates an AI life coach to help him find love. Unfortunately, he discovers he has accidentally coded his overbearing mother into the system.
In today’s world, where technology often feels isolating, Renner presents a unique take on loneliness. The film centers around a socially awkward programmer who struggles with germs and confidence. As he navigates his way through the dating world, his AI, named Salenus, voiced by Marcia Gay Harden, is meant to boost his assertiveness. What starts as a quest for love quickly reveals the dark sides of manipulating AI to change one’s personality.
Frankie Muniz gives a quirky and charming performance as Renner. Unlike the typical portrayal of tech characters, he conveys depth, emphasizing the film’s theme about the risks of relying on AI for personal growth.
Things get complicated when Renner realizes that his mother’s personality traits have intertwined with the AI’s programming. Along the way, he meets Jamie, his attractive neighbor, played by Violett Beane. The chemistry between them grows, challenging Renner’s obsessive cleanliness and routines. This dynamic adds a humorous twist to the film but also complicates the narrative, which sometimes feels scattered.
Despite its limited budget and some cliché elements, Renner introduces thoughtful ideas about connection and dependency on technology. The odd isolation of Renner’s high-rise apartment world feels intentional, yet raises questions about the story’s depth. The film’s mood shifts dramatically, transitioning into unexpected and more intense themes, straying from its original path focused on personal connection.
In the end, while Renner offers an intriguing premise with a fresh perspective, it doesn’t quite stick the landing. It shifts from touching moments to a less engaging thriller narrative that may leave viewers wanting more from what started as a promising exploration of loneliness and technology.
Flickering Myth Rating: ★★ / Movie: ★★
Robert Kojder is part of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. Follow on Twitter or check out his work on Letterboxd.
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