Frankie Muniz has spent decades entertaining audiences, from his iconic role as Malcolm in Malcolm in the Middle to his ventures in film, music, and even professional race car driving. But his latest project, Renner, marks a striking departure from his past roles. In this exclusive interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, Muniz shares his thoughts on the psychological sci-fi thriller, his deep dive into character work, and the thought-provoking themes surrounding AI and personal identity.
A Script Full of Twists
When asked what drew him to Renner, Muniz recalled his first read-through of the script and how it took unexpected turns.
“I remember reading the script and thinking, ‘Okay, I wasn’t expecting that,’” he said. “And then by the time I got to page 90, it had gone in a completely different direction than I ever could have imagined. I just couldn’t put it down.”
With its mix of sci-fi, psychological drama, and dark comedy, Renner isn’t just a film about artificial intelligence—it’s about human connection, self-discovery, and the blurred lines between technology and identity.
Playing a Role Unlike Any Other
In Renner, Muniz plays the titular character, a man who develops an AI-driven life coach that unexpectedly takes on the personality of his late mother. As the relationship between man and machine deepens, Renner is forced to confront unresolved trauma and his own sense of reality.
“It’s very different from anything I’ve done,” Muniz admitted. “It made me nervous, but I think that’s a good thing. It really challenged me as an actor, and I think I gave it my all.”
Unlike his previous roles, this performance required him to tap into deep emotions.
“I usually just show up and wing it, but with this role, I really dove in,” he explained. “I found emotions in me that I didn’t even know existed. There were days where I would leave set thinking, ‘Is this feeling because of the scene I just filmed, or is it actually me?’ It really blurred the lines for me.”
AI, Technology, and the Future
One of the most intriguing aspects of Renner is how it explores AI’s influence on human relationships.
“We’re seeing this in the real world,” Muniz noted. “AI is advancing so fast, and with Renner, you really start to question—how much do we trust technology? How much control should we give it? Renner puts so much trust into the AI that he doesn’t even know who to believe anymore—himself, the AI, or the people around him.”
The film presents an eerie look at how artificial intelligence can manipulate human perception, even when it’s not programmed to do so.
“There’s always a little bit of the programmer in the AI,” Muniz said. “Even if you don’t mean to, there’s going to be some bias, some unexpected influence. And Renner wasn’t planning on programming his mother into it—but it happened.”
Balancing Sci-Fi, Drama, and Comedy
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its ability to blend genres seamlessly.
“A lot of that is in the writing,” Muniz said. “It’s not like I was consciously thinking, ‘Okay, now I need to be funny’ or ‘Now I need to be serious.’ Renner is just doing what he thinks he has to do, and there are funny moments because of how neurotic and intense he gets.”
This naturalistic approach adds layers to his performance, allowing the audience to connect with his character on multiple levels.
Working with AI—Or At Least Pretending To
A unique challenge Muniz faced in the film was acting opposite an AI that wasn’t really there during filming.
“All of the AI interactions were done after filming,” he revealed. “So on set, I was just looking at this fake eyeball with a light in it. The director, Robert, would read the AI’s lines. I had to imagine what it would actually sound like.”
Once the AI voice was added in post-production, Muniz was blown away by how it transformed the film.
“I had a vision in my head of what it would be like, but the final result was incredible. The AI voice really brought that extra unsettling layer to the film.”
Facing Off with Violet Beane
Violet Beane (The Flash, Truth or Dare) stars opposite Muniz, and her performance added to the film’s intensity.
“She’s amazing,” he said. “I remember feeling intimidated by her at first because she’s such a strong actress. We were doing rehearsals, and I thought, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can keep up with her.’ But that actually worked for the role, because Renner is supposed to feel a little unsure around her.”
The chemistry between the two adds to the film’s emotional complexity, keeping audiences guessing about who can truly be trusted.
The Impact of Renner
For Muniz, this project wasn’t just another role—it was a major personal and professional milestone.
“This is the first time in my career where I felt like I really gave it everything,” he admitted. “I was fully invested in every scene, every emotion. And that’s scary, but it’s also really rewarding.”
So what does he hope audiences take away from the film?
“I hope it makes people think,” he said. “It’s got a little bit of everything—sci-fi, romance, psychological twists—but at its core, it’s about trust, control, and the consequences of giving technology too much power. And honestly, I just hope people enjoy the ride.”
What’s Next for Frankie Muniz?
While Renner showcases Muniz’s dramatic range, he’s keeping busy with a variety of projects.
“I’ve got a few things in the works, and I’m really excited to see where this next chapter of my career takes me,” he teased. “But right now, I just can’t wait for everyone to see Renner.”
Where to Follow Frankie
Fans can keep up with Frankie Muniz on social media:
📷 Instagram: @frankiemuniz4
🐦 Twitter/X: @frankiemuniz
Final Thoughts
With Renner, Frankie Muniz proves he’s more than capable of taking on deep, complex roles. The film offers a gripping exploration of technology, control, and the blurred lines between reality and artificial intelligence. For Muniz, this project represents both a personal and professional leap—and it’s one that fans won’t want to miss.
Renner is now available—don’t miss your chance to see one of the most intriguing psychological sci-fi thrillers of the year.