Hollywood loves to greenlight sequels to stories that were already perfectly complete. While the original film wraps up its narrative with satisfying closure, the hunt is still on for any loose threads that can be tugged to piece together another installment. Their motivations range from a creator’s genuine passion to the cynical exploitation of a moderately successful intellectual property as a delivery vehicle for whatever message they want to broadcast. The M3GAN franchise exemplifies this phenomenon perfectly. Some sleeping dogs should be left lying.
M3GAN: A Fitting Start
M3GAN’s 2023 trailer captivated audiences immediately. And the film held its own. One would be remiss to not recognize the solidity of the initial concept. The film was horror gold. Mining and combining three potent, yet terrifying ingredients was near genius. Each, a lifelike doll with the blank stare of Annabelle, the vulnerability of a child in peril, and the looming threat of artificial intelligence gone rogue, recognizably tapped directly into contemporary anxieties. This unholy trinity created the perfect elixir. Perhaps the most contemporary and palpable was the A.I. angle.
The Power of AI Compels Them
As artificial intelligence has evolved from science fiction into everyday reality, our collective anxiety about it has fueled a surge in AI-themed horror films. This isn’t Hollywood’s first flirtation with technological terror—from 1986’s “Short Circuit” to “The Terminator” and “I, Robot,” the prospect of machines outthinking their creators has long sent shivers down audience spines. The difference now? These nightmares no longer feel safely distant. Today’s filmmakers have tapped into this growing unease as the world is that much closer to companion robots and affiliated products or intelligences. Hollywood has capitalized on the dark side of these advancements with releases like “Subservience,” “The Companion,” “T1M,” and most notably, “M3GAN.”
Uncanny Valley Meets Malevolent Doll
What distinguished M3GAN was its brilliant fusion of AI horror with the uncanny valley of doll-based terror—creating a child’s companion with a malevolence that rivals Chucky’s. This combination proved irresistible to audiences. According to SYFY,
“Since it first opened in theaters at the start of that new year, M3GAN has racked up more than $167 million worldwide (nearly $100 million of that figure comes from the North American box office) and a near-perfect score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.”
The brilliance of the concept wasn’t the only factor working in their favor; the creative team also possessed a strategic edge, bolstered by the influential name of James Wan in the horror/thriller genre. Wan and Jason Blum, both integral to the project, noted that the social climate set the stage for the film’s success. SYFY highlighted Wan’s remarks in an Empire interview, where he attributed the film’s triumph to audiences seeking lighter experiences post-COVID. Wan emphasized,
“This has shown that in a post-COVID world and a post-streaming world, if you tell a very clever, fun, interesting story, there’s an audience who will go pay to see your movie.”
Her Code Lives On: M3GAN’s Digital Comeback
The elements that led to its initial success didn’t quite align this time. “M3GAN 2.0” heralds the return of the lethal guardian, despite her demise in the first installment. Her comeback hinges entirely on the preservation of her code. Although her physical form was destroyed, her digital essence remained intact and could easily be transferred into a new body.
In this sequel, Gemma, who was deeply involved in the disastrous outcomes of the project that spawned “M3GAN,” isn’t quite aligned with the same interests anymore. Her expertise, however, remains in high demand, especially after a military-focused artificial intelligence agent goes rogue. As many films have shown, sometimes it takes one monster to defeat another. This very notion propels the storyline of this feature.
Lost in the Maze: M3GAN 2.0’s Storyline Spirals
Beneath the surface, however, M3GAN 2.0 quickly unravels its own premise. The film’s narrative takes bewildering turns that obscure M3GAN’s true objectives and muddies the power dynamics between characters. Gemma’s motivations whipsaw from scene to scene with little psychological consistency. By the midpoint, what began as an intriguing premise collapses into a convoluted labyrinth that drains rather than builds tension. Audiences find themselves lost in this serpentine plot, unable to discern whether the film intends to demonize artificial intelligence or position it as the next step in human evolution—a technological community with which we must learn to coexist.
Climactic Confusion
“M3GAN 2.0” loses its way precisely when it reveals Amelia’s origins and purpose. This third-act exposition doesn’t just clarify the antagonist’s motivations—it retroactively renders the film’s first half nonsensical. Viewers who persevere to the credits are rewarded not with satisfying resolution but with heavy-handed messaging that borders on sermon.
The film’s climactic revelation—delivered through on-the-nose dialogue—transforms what should have been a tense technological thriller into a transparent morality play. By the time the credits roll, the preceding narrative dissolves into a forgettable fever dream, leaving audiences with the deflating realization that “M3GAN 2.0” never intended to frighten them—only to lecture them.
Final Notes: A Bit Sour
This movie is unnecessarily complicated and simply pales in comparison to its predecessor, sacrificing much for an intellectual and testimonial angle. This has become evident in both critical and audience responses. As Deadline noted,
“It’s not often that a horror sequel completely tanks at the box office after a blockbuster first edition.”
Unfortunately, this film falls squarely into that category.
It’s disheartening, especially considering the talent involved. James Wan, with his impressive mind and eye for horror, alongside Jason Blum, is known as a creative powerhouse in the genre. As a Deadline Collaborator wrote,
“We expect more from the horror maestros who delivered ingenious scares like Saw, Paranormal Activity, and The Purge.”
It’s important to remember that even the greats have off projects, and that’s okay—redemption is always possible. Let’s hope M3GAN will be laid to rest once and for all.
Uncut Diamonds 