(director/writer: Robert Rippberger; screenwriters: Luke & Martin Medina, David Largman Murray; cinematographer: Sean Erner; editor: Gabriel Cullen; cast: Frankie Muniz (Renner), Violett Beane (Jamie), Taylor Gray (Chad), Craig Lamar Traylor (Neighbor), Estes Tarver (Henchman), Marcia Gay Harden (voice-Salenus); Runtime: 90; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Devin Keaton, Robert Rippberger, Martin Medina, Jay Burnley; Siesmic Releasing; 2025)
“Has many plot twists and head scratching sequences.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Robert Rippberger (“Those Who Walk Away”/”Public Enemy Number One”) directs an Artificial Intelligence film that has many plot twists and head scratching sequences. Rippberger co-writes it with the father-son duo of Martin and Luke Medina, and with David Largman Murray.
The timid virgin but highly respected computer techie whiz Renner (Frankie Muniz) is a neurotic young man who lives alone in an ultra-mod apartment with an A.I. he designed to coach him up on how to live a richer life (programmed by him to be his surrogate mother). The robot looks like an eyeball, who he named Salenus (voiced by Marcia Gay Harden).
The frustrated Renner is attracted to his new neighbor Jamie (Violett Beane), but loses his nerve when he tries to speak to her during their chance meetings in the building’s hallways.
Salenus encourages Renner to talk to Jamie, to relax and be more assertive, and not be so obsessive about cleanliness and keeping his apartment spotless.
When the insecure Renner finally talks to Jamie, he opens up to her about his miserable childhood when raised by his insensitive, manipulative deceased mother.
Taylor Gray plays Chad, Jamie’s annoying brother roommate, who though uninvited joins her in Renner’s pad when she’s invited over for dinner.
There’s no fitting way for it to end its soulful character study. What we get is an underwhelming ending that loses its strange fascination it holds over us by the third act.
What’s good about this so-so film is that It gets engrossing performances from its three stars and its claustrophobic apartment setting feels just right for such a nerdy story.
REVIEWED ON 3/4/2025 GRADE: B-
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