Robots are often found in science fiction, but mix in a killer, and you get a true nightmare. For every Data, there’s a Lore, and few have captured the essence of a legendary anti-heroic artificial life form quite like the T-800 from the Terminator series.
Though the premise is undoubtedly entertaining, it’s been extensively explored before in the genre with films and TV shows like Westworld, Ex Machina, and iRobot. So where does director Gerard Johnstone’s 2023 horror slasher M3GAN fit in this overstuffed genre? Initially, it appeared to be just another generic killer robot film… until M3GAN broke into dance. That single memorable moment demonstrated that the movie had something the genre never thought it needed – a lively dose of sass.
And this unique quality is what Johnstone leans into with his sequel, M3GAN 2.0, which shifts entirely from horror to a full-on sci-fi action movie. While this isn’t necessarily the upgrade that fans were hoping for, there’s still some fun to be had if you don’t overthink its storyline.
Set two years after the first movie, Gemma (Allison Williams, Get Out) and Cady (Violet McGraw, Separation) continue to cope with the aftermath of M3GAN, the doll-turned-murderer. Gemma has become an advocate against AI, while Cady is developing an interest in robotics despite their traumatic experiences.
However, as hinted in the first film’s finale, M3GAN is very much alive, having integrated herself into Gemma’s home system. A home invasion by the FBI forces M3GAN to expose herself to Gemma, after which they discover an even greater danger: a rogue military robot, AMELIA (Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics and Infiltration Android).
It turns out the original plans for creating M3GAN were stolen, leading to the development of a new ultimate killer android. After gaining self-awareness on her first mission, AMELIA turns against her creators, leaving a bloody mark as she seeks to eliminate everyone involved, including Gemma, in a quest for a powerful AI motherboard to dominate the world. Gemma, Cady, and M3GAN must set aside their differences and form a reluctant alliance to defeat AMELIA, all while trying not to turn against each other.
If this sounds nothing like the original film, you’d be spot on, as the sequel has completely abandoned its horror origins for cheesier, more mindless action. Though this change aligns better with the narrative, it also introduces some negative genre clichés, such as an overly complicated yet nonsensical plot. Supporting characters make absurd decisions, like choosing to confine a potentially deranged android in the same building housing a doomsday AI motherboard.
At least the sequel maintains the charm that made the franchise enjoyable, primarily the sassiness of M3GAN. Portrayed again by Amie Donald (physically) and Jenna Davis (voice), M3GAN remains the standout of the film, mixing witty remarks with fierce action. M3GAN’s journey towards redemption is a nice touch, making her likable despite her violent nature, though the film rushes through the development of her character.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for AMELIA (Ivanna Sakhno, Pacific Rim Uprising), who, despite being an ultimate killer android, feels more like a typical human just great at killing. Perhaps it’s her lack of the unsettling robotic mannerisms of M3GAN or that she speaks like a normal human, fitting her role as an infiltration unit, but it’s disappointing to see such a large contrast between the two, especially given how well M3GAN has been portrayed.
Fans will also notice a significant reduction in violence this time around. The original film had visceral moments, like ear-ripping and blades through torsos, now replaced with quick cuts from gore and only subtle blood splatters to suggest injuries. This might be because of its PG-13 rating; the first film had an Unrated version released later that showed the uncut kills, so M3GAN 2.0 might receive similar treatment in the future.
Despite its shortcomings, M3GAN 2.0 thrives on action sequences, culminating in a thrilling finale where the two androids clash in a chaotic showdown, and even Gemma joins the fray, providing a satisfying payoff for her character’s journey across two films.
To evaluate M3GAN 2.0 as a horror film would be unfair, as that’s not its intention. It also lacks true sci-fi depth, leaving the sequel in a confused state between trying to upgrade and unable to move past its original concepts. Ultimately, it’s a film designed for fans to see M3GAN’s fierce side, despite the illogical plot and minimal character development.
Ultimately, not every movie needs to be a profound exploration of the human condition; sometimes, we just want to watch two sassy killer robots duke it out.
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