Renner (2025) - Film Critique

      Renner, 2025.

      Directed by Robert Rippberger.

      Starring Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Marcia Gay Harden, Taylor Gray, and Craig Lamar Traylor.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A tech whiz creates an A.I. life coach to assist him in finding love, but he soon discovers that he has unwittingly integrated his overbearing mother into the program. In a time when isolated and lonely wealthy tech bros pose a significant threat to democracy, director Robert Rippberger faces a challenging task with Renner, an A.I. cautionary tale featuring a socially awkward, germaphobic computer programmer who is desperately seeking love and acceptance. This shouldn't imply that all lonely individuals are vengeful, malicious, or possessive in their pursuit of women they feel are out of their reach due to self-doubt, yet there is concern that this film, released within the current political landscape, might convey a misguided message.

      These worries are alleviated primarily by Frankie Muniz's convincingly quirky performance, which brings a dorky charm to the title role. His character, Renner, has created an A.I. life coach named Salenus (voiced by Marcia Gay Harden) with the main aim of helping him assert himself (as confidence is a crucial aspect of assertiveness). Wisely, the film's theme aligns with cautioning against the hazards of letting A.I. shape one's personality instead of promoting a sense of self-righteous nerd justice. Renner does not serve as a favorable representation of a specific group.

      Whether intentionally or not, Renner’s domineering, strict mother has been coded into the program. Meanwhile, Renner has a new neighbor in this stereotypical depiction of a futuristic high-rise apartment that oddly features no other residents, with no clear narrative justification for this choice. Though the film operates within limitations in terms of scope and budget, it effectively utilizes solid concepts and performances. There is also an enjoyable nod to Frankie Muniz occasionally looking directly into the camera while conversing with the A.I., reminiscent of his fourth-wall-breaking moments on Malcolm in the Middle. Visually, Salenus resembles a round glass eyeball robot.

      Renner’s neighbor, Jamie (Violett Beane), is a traditionally attractive fitness enthusiast who seems to be acclimating to Renner’s awkward demeanor, creating a dynamic that feels purposefully off-kilter. However, the screenplay by David Largman Murray and Martin Medina ultimately falters in its sincere exploration of these characters and their emotional connections. As Renner and Jamie become closer and more physically intimate, it disrupts his OCD-driven cleanliness habits, often causing him to arrive late for work (which bears no significance to viewers, given the lack of an external world in the film). Salenus also starts to probe Jamie's intentions, showing hints of jealousy over Renner's budding romance with a human.

      Despite these elements, the execution suffers, expecting audiences to accept that this affluent apartment complex is devoid of life, and that it’s a space these characters should even be able to afford. It feels as though they are the only inhabitants of the film's universe, which does not aid the storytelling. Frankly, Renner devolves into an expectedly lackluster thriller that awkwardly shifts into a series of physical torture scenes. It’s disappointing that the filmmakers lacked confidence in themselves and their leads, veering away from the unexpectedly genuine and grounded portrayal of a lost individual seeking connection.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. For new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or contact me at [email protected]