M3GAN 2.0: Twists and Laughs in AI Horror Comedy

M3GAN 2.0 – 2025
Director Gerard Johnstone
Screenplay Gerard Johnstone
Starring Alison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ivanna Sakhno, Jemaine Clement, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Aristotle Athari

M3GAN was lite horror at best. It plays a touch like comedy, to be sure. This time around, they put action with laughs out front. M3GAN 2.0 knows that repeating the same motions as the first offers no new ground to gain. This time, robots are fighting each other, one might think. . But hang on.

The film introduces an AI robot named AMELIA. She is an Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics & Infiltration Android, played with precision by Sakhno. She does a few tricks for the U.S. Government, then she runs amok.

Back in Seattle, Gemma (Williams) has found a wonderful compound in the midst of the slums. She is now an advocate for AI regulation. Gemma is still caring for Cady (McGraw), but they are at loggerheads over the future of the teen. The roboticist still works with her crew. They include the well placed Alvarez and Epps. She also has an alliance with Christian Bradley (Athari). He is a fellow traveller in the regulation of AI.

After her presumed competitor (Clement) is eliminated, Gemma then believes AMELIA is coming after her. A version of M3GAN saves her and Cady by becoming part of the apartment she lives in. She discovers there is a whole world that M3GAN had made. She had no clue about it. From this hideout Cady is convinced that they must reconstitute M3GAN in order to combat AMELIA. If only that were the whole of it.

The last part of the film is convoluted. It is also inspired. There are so many twists, it will be hard to follow for some. The fun that comes from this part of the film outdoes anything in the first film. It is a step above what anyone will expect.

That said, there is less a horror element to this film. It is comedic action almost to the level of Austin Powers. At one point M3GAN starts singing an inspirational song, aping Disney at its worst. The halting of the song is gold.

If you like the first film as horror, don’t hold your breath here. Mostly security guards are taken out here. It’s pretty funny how they do it though. This isn’t the best film of the year. It is a whole lot better than one could hope after seeing the first film.

(**** out of *****)