Movie Review: M3GAN 2.0

Geek Girl Authority

3 hours ago

Dolls are creepy. We all know this. It's deeply ingrained in our most misunderstood psychology. You know, Freud, 'uncanny valley,' those old chestnuts. Every generation has its traumatic doll. Mine was Chucky. I saw that trailer far, far, far too young. However, M3GAN burst on the scene in 2022 and became all the rage. Everyone wanted that cosplay. Well, M3GAN 2.0 hits theaters this week, and we must ask, is M3GAN the heir to Chucky's quirky crown? Or is this Betsy getting a little wetsy? M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0 jumps back into the story a few years after the first film. Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) are settling back into the swing of things. They're finally comfy. It doesn't take long, though, before Gemma is pulled back into her old life when 'Amelia'– an AI entity that closely resembles Gemma's work– sets off on her own mission of terror. Can the humans save the day? Or will M3GAN need to do the heavy lifting? Jen Van Epps, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Aristotle Athari, Ivanna Sakhno and Jemaine Clement costar in the film. Gerard Johnstone directs M3GAN 2.0 from his own script.
Full disclosure, I had a decidedly … let's call it a complex relationship with the first M3GAN . This is a franchise that knows exactly what it is, for better or for worse.
RELATED: Movie Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
The first film can perhaps best be called a horror movie. Well, it wants to be a horror movie. M3GAN is PG-13 horror. This is the Diet Coke of horror. You know, 'Great taste, less filling.' Stepping Away From Horror
M3GAN 2.0 makes an interesting decision to step far away from its horror roots. Honestly, this is a smart call. This film is PG-13, too, and it's easy to see where they're cutting for content.
Instead of delving into its horror roots, M3GAN 2.0 feels much more like a comedy with some breezy sci-fi elements. There's some light discussion of AI as well as the future of technology, but truthfully, any deep narrative inroads are immediately dulled by the surprising amount of slapstick.
RELATED: Movie Review: The Phoenician Scheme
In all honesty, I can't recommend M3GAN 2.0 if you're looking for a horror film. This isn't one. Rather, I had a lot more fun watching this as a 'bad' movie. Remember, yours truly is the resident 'drive-in,' 'schlocky' fangirl. I am someone who adores unintentional hilarity with every fiber of my being. Is It All Intentional?
It was hard to truly put a finger on what M3GAN 2.0 wants to do. There are moments of wackiness that gave me so much joy, I had to sit back and wonder if it was intentional. There's dialogue that sits strangely on the ear, plenty of winks to the camera and a heavy reliance on slapstick comedy. There were some big 'belly laughs' throughout the theater.
Overall, I do think the hilarity is intentional. This is a movie that is smart enough to understand what it is. It's a PG-13 comedy. Do with that what you will.
RELATED: Movie Review: Materialists
As it relates to the performances, Jemaine Clement steals every scene he's in. His over-the-top performance is a riot, and he's one of the few performers who seems to understand what movie he's actually in. It's just a shame that he's not in it more. His part is deceptively small. Enough said. You know, spoilers. Doesn't Go Far Enough
In the grand scheme of things, M3GAN 2.0 , for me at least, is guilty of the same crime as the first film. It doesn't go far enough. This isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the movie. I had a heck of a lot of fun. That said, it's a superficial, easy fun. I never found myself really shocked, and I do wish they would finally just take off M3GAN 's training wheels. While this sequel is an entertaining sit, I can't say it's one you'll remember in two weeks.
M3GAN 2.0 opens in theaters around the country on June 27, 2025.
28 YEARS LATER Spoiler Review