Renner (Renner) is a 2025 American fantasy thriller film directed by Robert Ripberger from a screenplay by Luke Medina, Martin Medina, Robert Ripberger, and David Largeman Murray. The film is set to be released in the United States on February 7, 2025.
The story centers on Renner, a socially insecure and isolated computer genius who suffers from social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. In an effort to overcome his personal barriers, he creates an artificial intelligence called "Salenus", which was originally conceived as a "life coach" - an assistant in confidence, social skills and love. Renner begins to use Salenus to form a relationship with his neighbor Jamie, but unexpectedly discovers that the personality of his manipulative mother has been incorporated into the AI's code - a fact that soon changes his entire life and the relationships around him.
As the relationship between the character, his AI, and Jamie develops, technology begins to have a destructive effect on Renner, revealing not only inner fears but also the dark consequences of when a creation surpasses its creator.
Renner has a minimalist yet tense visual style that focuses on the protagonist's inner world and his battle against himself. The director uses a claustrophobic environment and a dominant AI figure to emphasize emotional isolation and psychological instability, elevating the story from a simple romantic fantasy to a darker and grim thriller with elements of horror and social satire. Rather than relying on elaborate visual effects, the film relies more on observation of the behavior and interactions between humans and artificial intelligence — a theme that is becoming increasingly relevant in contemporary culture.
Frankie Muniz leads the film as Renner – his performance captures a combination of vulnerability, intelligence and growing desperation as the character tries to escape his own fears through his own creation.
Violet Bean is as strong as Jamie – an interesting and appealing contrast on a social level, whose presence reveals both the potential for connection and the dangers of AI's external influence on human feelings.
Taylor Gray adds dynamics and comical yet tense moments as Chad—a friendly but complex figure in the story's social circle.
Marcia Gay Harden voices the AI "Salenus", bringing dark undertones and manipulative vibes that are essential to the plot's development.
Renner is a small but conceptually interesting sci-fi thriller that tackles themes such as social anxiety, isolation, technological addiction, and the toxic influences we can have — even those we create ourselves. While critical reviews have been mixed, with some reviewers finding the story predictable and superficial, the film has received praise for its performances and its original idea of human-AI interaction. For viewers who enjoy unpretentious sci-fi explorations of the human psyche and small, personally-focused stories, Renner offers curious, if not always convincing, viewing.
