Love Me

The core theme of Love Me destined it to be labeled a pandemic-era movie.

While Americans had already been experiencing epidemic levels of loneliness in the late 2010s, the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns highlighted what was already there while deepening that isolation. We were drowning in a preponderance of think pieces and studies about the detrimental impacts of being trapped in our homes, and the populace generally turned to media to both unpack and distract. Shows which dealt with the strange disconnect of our lives gained popularity. There was an uptick in movies about finding contentment on your own as well as reaching into your past.

So despite Love Me landing as the wave of isolation has largely subsided, that experience is still with us. It features just two characters, is mostly computer animated, and focuses on a smart buoy and a satellite (Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun, respectively) learning what it means to share your life. It feels like a project born of a strong desire to expand your world while being frustrated at your inability to do so.

Read the rest of my review on Pop Culture Maniacs.