In director Robert Rippberger’s latest big-screen feature, AI is captured in a totally different light than what we’re used to. Frankie Muniz stars as Renner (also the movie’s title), a tech expert programming his own automated life coach named Salenus. All is going according to plan until he meets Jamie (played by actress Violett Beane) who just moved in down the hall. Soon enough, tension starts to brew between this new love interest and the AI - with Renner caught in the middle. With an explosive, shocking storyline you do not want to miss, The Movie Nerds recently took part in a conversation with both Muniz and Rippberger in order to find out what goes into a technological thriller like this.
Sal Cento: First thing I want to say is that Renner went from a 1 to a 10 and it kind of shocked me at the end!
Frankie Muniz: Yes, I will say it shocked me too when I read it. I remember getting to page twenty - like ok, ok - and then I got to page fifty - I was like ok - and then by page ninety - I was like what?! That’s what kind of drew me to it. I definitely think people will be surprised. Obviously, we try not to give away too much when we do something like this and from what’s seen in the trailer too right? You can’t show too much because then you know where it’s probably headed. I’m really excited for people to see it.
SC: Those were my thoughts exactly. The synopsis was about the A.I but then - oh my god - it just goes crazy.
FM: That’s for sure.
SC: So to rewind a bit, my name is Sal. I’m from The Movie Nerds and I got a couple of questions for both of you today. My first question is for Mr. Rippberger.
SC: In 2023, Slated wrote about Renner’s production. They made mention of how the script was sent to various directors before you secured it. Seeing how the movie mixes numerous themes (that is A.I technology, emotional trauma and just raw violence as well) - what was it about Renner that initially caught your eye?
Robert Rippberger: Those three things that you just mentioned! Everybody laughs No, I mean what I’m looking for as a filmmaker is something that has a lot of elements that I can work with, a really interesting world that I can build onto, interesting subject matter and characters. A lot of depth too. Also, I haven’t done a film that is more of a textbook thriller or sort of mystery and so that is something that could be fun to bite into and share with audiences.
SC: This is for you, Mr. Muniz. There are so many different avenues to explore with the character of Renner himself. When bringing him to life - what were the character’s most important aspects to you - his worries, his intelligence, his traumas?
FM: All of those things are what makes him who he is - and unique in that sense. I won’t say I struggled with this but I wanted to make sure I got him where he needed him to be, especially towards the ending. The people need to see the unraveling of his life. That’s something that Robert and I talked about . . . just to know where the character’s head was for what scene. All the scenes filmed in the bathroom we did in one or two days. So you have every single emotion that you’re going through in that short amount of time. For me as an actor, it was all about making sure you’re at the right point during the right moment - but it was also a ton of fun. I started off extremely intimidated but by the end, it brought a ton of raw emotion in me that I didn’t know I had. I’m grateful to Robert for giving me the opportunity to play the character and I love the way it turned out.
SC: One of the most fascinating parts of this film - besides the characters and Selenus - is the blue, triangular entrance into Renner’s apartment. Renner says it's for sanitization but the small tunnel has a much more meaningful part. As a director looking through the camera, what does that walkway symbolize for our characters?
RR: Anytime you’re passing through a door - it’s like a portal right? It’s a whole new world. That was actually like an ad-lib that we added in later for sanitary purposes. For me, I was kind of coming up with the design, working with my production designer Sonia Foltarz and there’s so much that happens in that hallway. It was vital that we have a very unique look to it. That’s when I came up with this idea of triangles that you pass through. Then somebody suggested that it should be ultraviolet light for sanitary purposes. That suggestion was great and we just kept going in that direction.
SC: The following question is for Mr. Rippberger as well. You were in a very insightful interview with Film Courage a few months back.
RR: Oh, thank you.
SC: In that video, you stated that the films you direct, “seek out to entertain and also provide a message”. With Renner, what would you say the movie is trying to convey to audiences?
RR: I think all movies have social value and benefits. This one in particular is looking at - what’s our relationship with technology? When you have deep holes from loss - how do you fill that? How sometimes filling that can sometimes lead you astray from what you are really after - what you really want. Ultimately, listen to yourself. Be weary instead of blindly following idols. That, I think is the great story that Luke and Martin Medina [Luke and Martin being the writers behind this movie] were able to pull out with Renner.
SC: This final question is for both of you. What other projects do you have planned? I see you have another thriller in the works - Reapers Night and for you Mr. Rippberger - Monstrosity and a Good Fight. Could you tell me and my readers what those are about?
FM: To be honest, don’t trust everything you read on IMDB! laughs Because I have no idea what that is but I saw that on there as well. I will be doing the Malcolm reboot and I am racing full time in Nascar this year. I’m keeping a very busy year and I’m excited for all of it.
RR: My next two projects are Monstrosity which is essentially white supremacists versus monsters - which asks who are the real monsters here. The other is A Good Fight which is written by the same guy who wrote Dan in The Real World. Phenomenal script.
SC: I loved that movie!
RR: Yea, we’re looking forward to that by the end of this year.
SC: Alright Mr. Muniz, Mr. Rippberger. Thank you very much again for the insightful interview!
FM: Thank you! Have a good one!
RR: Thank you!
Renner is currently airing in selected movie theaters across the United States and will be released on streaming platforms starting on March 18th.
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