‘M3GAN’ Review

TV&Film

Jan 13

We’ve all seen enough horror movies to know that if you are in the vicinity of a talking doll, you’re going to have a bad time. With M3GAN (an acronym for “Model 3 Generative ANdroid”), she’s a big help, especially as she learns and adapts, but then she does too good of a job, hilarity and death ensue.

Based on a story by Akela Cooper and modern horror master James Wan (both of who made Malignant a hit), M3GAN (voiced by Jenna Davis and physically portrayed by Amie Donald) is a welcome addition to the killer doll subgenre. Director Gerard Johnstone does an amazing job using stunt work, CGI, and puppetry to bring M3GAN to life. You can hear M3GAN’s robotic movements and gears whirring and clicking to remind you that she’s not human.

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The movie opens with Cady and her parents heading up a mountain towards a ski lodge, and disaster strikes, leaving Cady orphaned and off to live with her Aunt Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), a toy creator. Gemma has chosen to be child-free but now has to come to terms with not only her sister and brother-in-law’s deaths but also that she’s now the guardian of a child who just went through the worst thing that could happen to a kid. Enter M3GAN.

M3GAN is an AI doll created by workaholic roboticist Gemma and her partners paired with a child constantly learning to become a better companion to their child. This includes drawing, having meaningful conversations, and dancing.

While Gemma is convinced that M3GAN is helping Cady thrive after her parent’s deaths, the social worker assigned to them thinks otherwise. She mentions to Gemma that when children lose their parents, they tend to latch on to the next person that reminds them of their late parent. In theory, it should be Gemma, but Cady has instead latched on to M3GAN. She also asks the important question of what happens when Cady gets older and is too old to “play” with M3GAN.

As M3GAN becomes more aware of herself and her directive to “keep Cady safe,” she becomes more like Cady’s sole protector and parent and will eliminate any obstacle or threat. However, no one is safe from M3GAN.

M3gan is fully aware that its concept is ridiculous and that you can only do so much with an animatronic killer doll. But it does a fantastic job balancing horror, humor, and, surprisingly, emotions. You feel for Cady and the loss of her parents (even if it was a Final Destination-style death) and the fact that Gemma has no clue how to connect with Cady when she first arrives. You laugh at the absurdity of numerous scenes (and songs), and you jump at the handful of jump scares sprinkled throughout the film. The practical effects are amazing, and the actresses and stunt doubles that bring M3GAN to life deserve every award and accolade thrown their way.

It’s erratic, absolutely unhinged, and just plain fun. So do yourself a favor and check it out because you won’t regret it.

Rating: 8/10

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