On the surface, *Love Me* could be seen as a traditional romance. It opens with a main character so eager for affection that she patterns her existence — and her romantic entanglement — after a couple of influencers she admires online. For her, joy stems from carefully orchestrated date nights that include Blue Apron dinners, *Friends* binge-watching, and coordinated animal pajamas. Nevertheless, this gentle drama, which debuted at Sundance 2024, introduces an unexpected twist: it centers less on romantic attachment and more on the journey of embracing self-love — even if the character happens to be a sentient robot.
In *Love Me*, Kristen Stewart embodies an AI buoy designed to evolve alongside the shifting circumstances of her environment. Yet this environment lacks living beings, leaving her aware of her existence yet deeply solitary. This changes when she meets an orbiting satellite named Iam (voiced by Steven Yeun), created to share humanity’s collective wisdom with those who seek it. Their early encounters are short, clumsy, and distinctly mechanical. However, as the buoy begins to crave connection, she starts to define her identity, calling herself “Me” and pretending to be a “lifeform.” In this way, she invites Iam into her universe, assigning him a name and a purpose beyond his original design.
What starts as a polished, celebrity-filled reinterpretation of *Wall-E* transforms into a heartfelt investigation of self-discovery amid societal expectations to conform. Set in a future devoid of human life, *Love Me* delivers a bittersweet yet deeply human narrative.
### *Love Me* Explores the Ups and Downs of Social Media
In our modern world, reality is frequently seen through the prism of social media algorithms, influencers, and a barrage of advertisements aimed at convincing us of our inadequacies — unless we purchase the newest quick-fix item. This is the digital environment Me navigates as she explores the remnants of the internet via Iam’s server. She enjoys clips of giggling infants but becomes especially enchanted by Deja (Kristen Stewart in a live-action appearance), a gorgeous influencer with cascading blonde hair, and her seemingly perfect partner, Liam (Steven Yeun).
Of all the portrayals of humanity she comes across, Me becomes fixated on Deja and Liam as the ultimate standard to imitate. She coerces Iam into aligning with her vision, and together they morph into avatars designed after these bygone lifestyle influencers. They create a virtual residence with a snug kitchen, a couch for cuddling, and a ring light to capture every romantic moment. However, tension arises as Iam begins to question the genuineness of their routine. As he seeks something authentic, Me feels betrayed, putting their bond on the line. Can Me transcend her fixation on being a Deja doppelganger? Who will she transform into if she does? And will this transformation draw her nearer to Iam or push them apart?
### Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun Shine in Both Animation and Live Action
Guided by Sam and Andy Zuchero, known as The Zucheros, *Love Me* unfolds in an endearingly chaotic style. The film draws inspiration from YouTube nature documentaries, self-help content, and trending online videos to mirror the human experience. This technique may evoke cringeworthy recognition from viewers, as the live-action scenes portray humanity in all its earnest, frustrating, and charming complexity. As Me and Iam retreat into their digital world, the film transitions to CG animation, where Me’s insecurities are concealed behind a Pixar-like avatar. Even Iam’s exasperation concerning his inability to *feel* physical sensations is softened by the inviting warmth of the animation.
Eventually, the characters transition into live-action representations of themselves, allowing Stewart and Yeun to enhance their performances. This shift also accentuates the contrast between Me and Iam’s true selves and the idealized personas they initially aspired to mimic. As they work towards authenticity, their appearances become more human, exhibiting flaws. Stewart’s vocal performance evolves from robotic dullness to hesitant curiosity and finally to confident boldness. Conversely, Yeun’s portrayal progresses from a Siri-like decorum to jubilant joy, then to existential doubt, and ultimately, to a profound emotional breakdown. Their live-action performances carry fresh emotional depth, as both actors navigate the intricacies of their characters’ journeys.
### A Daring and Chaotic Celebration of Self-Acceptance
The Zucheros deserve recognition for embracing the innate oddity of their concept. One particularly notable scene is a surreal yet passionate moment that enables the characters to explore their desires and identities in an extraordinarily expressive manner. These instances of untidy, unfiltered self-expression distinguish *Love Me* from typical romantic comedies. The film embraces the tumult of self-discovery, celebrating the flaws and contradictions intrinsic to the journey of learning to love.