Making Mr. Right (1987): Inside Susan Seidelman and John Malkovich’s Cult Sci-Fi Android Rom-Com – The 80s Movie Podcast 134

In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, host Edward Havens continues the retrospective on Susan Seidelman by revisiting Making Mr. Right (1987), a sci-fi romantic comedy starring John Malkovich in a dual role as a reclusive scientist and his android double. The film follows a PR consultant who is hired to humanize an artificial man designed for a space mission. However, as the android learns emotional behavior, the boundaries between creator, creation, and attraction begin to blur.

Along the way, we explore how Seidelman blends genres to examine identity, gender roles, and emotional disconnection in a stylized near-future setting. In addition, we discuss Ann Magnuson’s performance as a grounded counterpoint to Malkovich’s split characterization. The film shifts between romance, satire, and science fiction, while maintaining a retro-futurist visual style that reflects mid-1980s optimism about technology.

At the same time, we look at why Making Mr. Right struggled commercially despite strong critical appreciation. Furthermore, we consider how the film has gained a cult following for its unusual premise and offbeat tone. Whether you are following Susan Seidelman’s career or discovering this overlooked sci-fi rom-com for the first time, this episode revisits a strange and ambitious entry in 1980s genre filmmaking.