Are you ready to meet your new best friend? Well, M3GAN is just the best. She listens, cares, and will destroy any obstacle in her path to ensure your happiness and safety. There has never been a more dedicated friend. M3GAN’s best feature is her incredible ability to learn- Which will definitely have no damaging consequences. Articial intelligence is amazing, isn’t it? M3GAN will arrive in cinemas on January 13th, you won’t want to miss this one.
Synopsis
M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma, M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to.
When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady, Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems… A decision that will have unimaginable consequences.
Review
M3GAN is fantastic. There was an electric buzz in the air as this film approached, but nothing could prepare us for the absolute icon that is this 4ft doll. The highlight is M3GAN. She carries this film on her tiny little shoulders. As a character, she is utterly terrifying and the film does such an amazing job of showing this gradual escalation from “girls best friend” to “homicidal killing machine”. They’re really playful with that concept as well. This entire film is about a company attempting to make the next best toy, and it almost feels like a parody of some of the toys we’re familiar with. But then M3GAN arrives and changes everything, so there is this desire to market her as a product and that comes with advertisements and demos, all of which are hilarious because of what we know is about to happen.
Beyond the marketing world, the time we spend with M3GAN and Cady is utterly precious. There is a genuine relationship between the two. In a way it is very endearing, but the film excells at breaking these moments with a slight sinister look form M3GAN. She controls the situation, and all it takes is the smallest look and the tiniest headtilt. Instantly, you know what M3GAN is internalising. The fact that a small actress in a plastic animatronic mask can elicit that sort of response where we can recognise the cogs that are turning exemplifies the thought process that went into bringing this doll to life and making it feel natural.
When M3GAN becomes much more bolder, the entire vibe changes. She becomes calculative, obsessive, and twisted. That evolution unravels brilliantly and it creates some incredibly chilling moments. What’s surprising is just how funny M3GAN is. They knew how to utilise her fully. Not only is she haunting to look at, but she has a serious attitude problem and it is hysterical. Suddenly, the borders bewteen horror and comedy become blurred, and that’s a good thing because that’s how M3GAN is… She was created to be like that. She’s a singer, dancer, and a queen of sass, and that sets her above some of the other horror icons because we’ve never seen a figure of fear elicit so many different reactions from an audience. Step aside Pennywise, M3GAN has entered the building.
Putting M3GAN aside, the film does something quite surprising. Cady and Gemma are brought together through grief and in some films it’s very easy to forget about the establishing trauma because other events occur. However, trauma is at the centre of M3GAN and the film handles grief very well, particularly the grief of a child which can manifest differently compared to that of an adult. It was refreshing to see M3GAN approach it in a very mature way, especially with a singing and dancing robot on the loose. The grief that Cady and Gemma share slowly brings them together, but it definitely takes time to establish a proper connection since M3GAN essentially adopts that paternal role. Despite the events that transpire, M3GAN presents us with a real representation of grief and its many forms. It’s not always sadness, sometimes it can be anger, frustration, rebellious tendencies, and issues regarding attachment. It was a welcomed surprise, a surprise that adds a lot of emotional value to a film that is so very twisted.
Horror is an interesting genre because it normally boils down to how scary and horrific a film is- we’re talking both visual horror and thematic and implied horror. However, the last few years have definitely shown that that isn’t always the case. Films like Doctor Sleep, The Invisible Man, as well as others including M3GAN have shown that horror films can exist outside of the grim and ghastly. In a way, M3GAN opens itself up to a much wider audience and that is its major strength. Not only is the film very, very good, it is also incredibly accessible. Horror films in general target a specific audience, but for M3GAN it feels as though they dropped those barriers to allow for a more universal experience… An experience that can be enjoyed even by those who don’t like horror movies- me.
Now, depending on who you ask the fact that M3GAN isn’t as scary or graphic as other horror movies may hinder the overall film. You tune in to a horror film for those specific thrills, right? Although, looking at the current critical response, we know that it isn’t as simple as that. M3GAN thrives in the land of the uncanny and that is where the fear originates. We’re presented with a scenario that is seemingly farfetched, but it really exploits that fear of technology in a Terminator kind of way, and a generational way. There is a fear of sentient machines, and there is a genuine fear that this generation is obsessed with technology.
After the film finished, Tweets were sent, Instagram posts were made, and this review was being typed up on a laptop. M3GAN may not be the scariest film in the world, but it certainly is very self aware, and because of that the mere concept of M3GAN becomes less preposterous. Is M3GAN an eventual reality? Probably not, but the film does highlight certain societal issues regarding tech and this disconnect between people. It’s a fascinating dynamic and it’s one that elevates the film from just being another generic horror film. It’s not a film that will trigger a change in the human condition, but it definitely makes you think about the relationship you have with technology and how influential it is to your real relationships outside of the virtual world.
Verdict
M3GAN is a hilariously twisted, cold, and disturbingly self-aware thrill ride that revels in its scarily accurate portrayal of our relationship with technology. M3GAN is the undisputed star of the show and she was earned her place among the other horror icons through her witty charm, insane skills, and that haunting stare. This gripping battle between M3GAN and her creators is unapologetic and holds nothing back. It is ruthless. If you’re after a fun and intense trip to the cinema, M3GAN will be there to hold your hand.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Produced by Jason Blum and James Wan, M3GAN is directed by award-winning filmmaker Gerard Johnstone (Housebound). The terrifying screenplay comes from Akela Cooper (Malignant) and is based on a story by both Cooper and Wan.
The film also stars Ronny Chieng (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Brian Jordan Alvarez (Will & Grace), Jen Van Epps (Cowboy Bebop), Lori Dungey (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, extended edition) and Stephane Garneau-Monten (Straight Forward).
