M3GAN 2.0 is the Terminator 2 of killer doll movies

When M3GAN came out in 2022, it took the internet by storm. The little killer doll was an instant meme hit, generating reactions and fan-edits the moment the first trailer hit the web. The movie itself didn’t seem fully aware of what it had stepped into, coyly walking around the edges of its absurdist satire. A relatively small movie, the filmmakers nonetheless made the best of their resources, crafting a sci-fi horror that resonated with audiences. 

If M3GAN was like The Terminator, M3GAN 2.0 Is like Terminator 2. From small-scale horror to action-packed mega blockbuster, the new film leans into what worked in the first film — even copying certain beats almost verbatim. Funnier, bigger and more-action packed, M3GAN 2.0 picks up a couple of years after the first film’s climactic bloodbath. Gemma (Allison Williams) has pivoted to anti-AI activist and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), dreams of becoming a computer programmer while also grappling with the traumatic events of the previous film. 

Despite the catastrophic violence caused by the M3GAN technology, humanity’s hunger for artificial intelligence has not abated. “Progress” continues to barrel over and the military industrial complex has seized upon the potential for humanoid AI in order to create its own killer doll. Predictably, they lose control of their invention and all hell breaks loose. 

Stacked up against the first film, M3GAN 2.0 is more or less successful. The film downplays the horror elements of the first in favour of action, which makes sense in that this film is clearly trying to appeal to a wider audience. It does lose some sense of danger in this transition. The movie feels slightly neutered in terms of its depiction of violence and blood, but will still have more than enough shocking elements to appeal to audiences thirsty for shock. 

In attempting to recapture some of the “magic” of the first film — namely M3GAN’s singing and dancing — this fails to really hit the same highs as the original entry. The song choice isn’t quite as iconic and the dance lacks the same TikTokability that first inspired viewers. That isn’t to say it isn’t fun; it also feels as though, if the film lacked those elements, it would be disappointing to audiences. It’s just a shame that, too often these days, it seems like filmmakers are consistently trapped by their own success — willed to repeat themselves until audiences grow tired of the joke. 

Despite feeling a bit like a xerox copy of the original, overall the new M3GAN still manages to be a better movie. It’s a bit funnier, smarter and more self-aware than the original. While, at two hours, it feels over-extended, the time passes by relatively quickly. As a comedy trio, Jenna Davis (the voice of M3GAN), Allison Williams and Jemaine Clement are absolutely delightful when they’re on screen. The movie’s greatest asset is its sense of humour, which is unpredictable, incisive and self-deprecating. The film has a remarkable laugh-per-minute ratio, which helps smooth out its weaker moments. It plays incredibly well with a crowd, particularly one amped up for M3GAN’s antics.

What’s more to say about M3GAN 2.0? The film captures the magic of the original and will play incredibly well with fans of the original movie. It’s funny, even if it does play it safe, preferring to appeal to a wide audience rather than a more niche horror crowd. It’s not necessarily a game changer and likely won’t be a standout by the end of the year, but it’s still a fine time at the movies. ■

M3GAN 2.0 is now playing in Montreal theatres.

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