‘M3GAN’ Review: A Solid, Fun Killer Doll Flick, That Feels a Little Too Familiar

M3GAN - 2023 horror films
Universal Pictures

Horror movies about killer dolls have been extremely popular, and in regular circulation since the 1970s. Looking back, it’s easy to see how mid-‘70s films like Magic or The Trilogy of Terror walked so that ‘80s powerhouses like Puppet Master and Child’s Play could soar into the horror genre’s heavy hitters. Even currently, killer dolls still make a splash in the genre.

The Child’s Play franchise is still running strong with its 2019 remake and its Chucky series continuation of the original movies, and two of The Conjuring-universe’s Annabelle movies have made it into the top-25 highest grossing horror movies of all time.

RELATED: 30 YEARS LATER: ‘CHILD’S PLAY 2’ IS STILL A TOP-TIER HORROR SEQUEL

Gerard Johnstone, who helmed the beloved horror-comedy ghost movie Housebound in 2014, has ushered in a new face to the killer doll genre in 2023, with M3GAN. The new film was written by James Wan, the creative mind behind Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring, as well as Akela Cooper, who joined Wan in creating his last directed film, Malignant.

Universal Pictures

M3GAN stars Allison Williams (Get Out), Violet McGraw (The Haunting of Hill House), Jen Van Epps (No Exit), Brian Jordan Alvarez, and the duo of Amie Donald and Jenna Davis in the physical and vocal roles of the terrifying, titular doll, M3GAN.

The film follows Cady (McGraw), who, after losing both parents in a horrible car accident, is taken in by her aunt Gemma (Williams). Gemma is a workaholic toy designer and roboticist for Funki, one of the most well-known toy companies in the world. Upon feeling the pressure from both her boss to produce something new and innovative, as well as the pressure of not knowing how to raise a child, Gemma creates M3GAN, the Model 3 Generation Android. M3GAN is a top-of-the-line robot that will not only give children a comforting friend and playmate, but uses AI to learn, feel, and help children grow, using the marketing ploy of being the only toy a child will ever need.

What Gemma doesn’t know, is that while preparing for the toy’s launch and falling deeper into her work, is that M3GAN and Cady’s bond is growing to dangerous levels, and that M3GAN’s ability to learn and adapt is beyond anything Gemma ever expected.

Starting with the storyline for M3GAN, admittedly, it’s not the most original tale; but it’s fun, and it draws from the best parts of similar premises like Child’s Play (2019) and I, Robot.  M3GAN did do a great job on the set-up, using a backstory of grief and a fragile relationship between child and guardian to do some of the more serious leg work in an otherwise silly premise.

While I think the movie explores Cady’s character decently, it’s Gemma’s character that could have used some depth and backstory. Her character’s writing comes off as uncaring and ignorant to almost laughable levels, and I fully believe that an added level of depth to the story or some more character development could have turned a good movie into a great movie. It seems like there are slight messages on grief and parenting, as well as on the dangers of distraction by technology and consumerism, but the film doesn’t explore either.

Universal Pictures

The acting was strong overall. Most of the screen-time went to Williams and McGraw, and both shined in their roles. Both actors have been blowing up in recent years, as Williams gave a memorable performance as the devious Rose Armitage in Get Out, and McGraw has been seemingly popping up in everything, from Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep, to playing young Yelena in the MCU’s Black Widow. The duo that portrayed M3GAN was excellent as well, the vocals providing creepy one-liners, and the physical aspect bringing M3GAN to life with nightmare-inducing bestial running, and the iconic dance moves that are taking social media by storm.

Universal Pictures

Unfortunately, most of the supporting characters were essentially throwaways; their dialogue strength matching their importance and screen-time. At its core, M3GAN is a modern slasher flick, so forgettable characters and performances on the side are both expected and easily forgivable.

RELATED: MOST ANTICIPATED 2023 HORROR MOVIES SO FAR

The technical aspects for M3GAN were excellent. The film style did a great job at bringing out the creepier aspects of M3GAN. Remember, this is a PG-13 film, so the level of brutality seen in a lot of R-rated horror just isn’t going to be there. Gerard Johnstone does a nice job of shifting the horror from the usual gore and terror of the genre’s typical pattern, to a stylistic focus on genuine creep factor, especially toward the end of the film. That’s not to say there weren’t some pleasantly brutal moments. There were plenty. M3GAN is downright malicious and scary, and to have that kind of presence near your child is any parent’s nightmare.

Anthony Willis’ score matched the movie well, and helped keep the pace fun and thriving. This is Willis’ second banger score in a back-to-back, as his last composed work on a feature film was in the powerful and thought-provoking Promising Young Women in 2020.

Universal Pictures

Looking at M3GAN as a whole; subjectively, it didn’t feel groundbreaking, and I’d felt like I’d seen it all before. With that being said, I do think it was an entertaining and solid horror movie, and especially good for helping to usher new, young horror fans into the world of horror.

The numbers don’t usually lie when coming from the masses, and in just a few days, M3GAN has brought in more than 30 million dollars, sitting right underneath Avatar: The Way of Water in the stretch, and has a shocking 93% on Rotten Tomatoes; a number that January-released horror movies have never seen. Although M3GAN wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, I had some fun with it, and I suggest checking it out. I’m hopeful you’ll love it!


REVIEW OVERVIEW
M3GAN
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Stephen Rosenberg
Stephen is a massive horror, sci-fi, fantasy and action movie geek. He's an avid horror & sci-fi book/comic reader, musician and podcaster. He co-founded and co-hosts Motion Picture Meltdown (movie-roasting podcast since 2009), which is part of the United Cypher Podcast Network. Stephen is the Editor-at-Large for Horror Geek Life and an Associate Editor and contributing writer for MovieWeb. Feel free to contact him regarding screeners, reviews, press kits, interviews, and more!
m3gan-review- Although M3GAN’s storyline feels borrowed from similar “evil AI” movies, it does provide a great premise set-up and very good performances from Allison Williams and Violet McGraw to move the story along. M3GAN’s biggest strengths lay within its technical aspects, as Johnstone used the PG-13 rating to his advantage. It didn’t have the blood and guts we may have expected in a killer doll-style slasher film, but camerawork, lighting, and the duo behind M3GAN’s acting brought the creep factor to the next level. I didn’t think M3GAN was groundbreaking, but it was fun, and I do think it’s a great film to help a younger audience fall in love with horror. It’s not my cup of tea, but a solid flick, and I think you should check it out!

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