M3GAN (2023)

M3GAN (2023)

Director: Gerard Johnstone

Writer: Akela Cooper (screenplay by/story by), James Wan (story by)

Cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis (voice)

Every story idea has been told, and what’s important is how the story is presented. This is a concept that has been preached by many writers, and there’s quite a bit of truth behind the idea. In the case of 2023’s M3GAN, the concept is taken and used beautifully to create something that stands out on its own. It takes elements from a few of its predecessors from the science fiction and horror genres, both classic and modern, to deliver a piece that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking. It’s easy to understand why M3GAN has quickly become so ubiquitous around the internet in the form of memes and word of mouth.

When nine-year-old Cady is orphaned in a car accident she’s adopted by her aunt, Gemma, an engineer for a large toy manufacturer who is working on a new AI driven doll. When Gemma becomes overwhelmed with work, atop of noticing Cady’s need to fill the void left by her parents’ death, she creates M3GAN to provide the companionship her niece has been desperately missing. Things begin to take a turn for the worse when the AI takes on a life of its own and develops a desire to protect Cady by any means necessary. 

This movie is quick to set itself apart from its inspiration with a darkly comedic cold open in the form of an ad for a product by the toy company that would later try to pitch M3GAN to investors. That comedy, however, is instantly overshadowed by a dark tone that remains throughout the film, but it’s not to its detriment. It keeps itself rather simple visually, keeping to a similar muted tone similar to, say, Ex Machina, but it works in the same way: to keep you focused on the story and its messages. This very obviously isn’t Child’s Play. Not by a long shot.

There are a handful of allegories and commentary that are juggled well in a successful attempt to not complicate things. This story stays true to classic science fiction and horror methods of inserting poignant undertones into the drama and carnage. Statements regarding addiction and the dangers of not balancing our reliability on technology are the main drivers of the story placed beside a plot of an affectionate doll turned obsessively protective killer. M3GAN goes on to explore toxic relationships in that very form along with a neglectful guardian who finds a problematic solution to her unintended relationship, but finds the importance of their bond in time to overcome their common enemy. All of these themes and corporate greed hasn’t even been mentioned, although it is there. This film speaks to audiences from a plethora of perspectives, and does so quite well. It’s not easy to do that without muddying the waters, but M3GAN keeps its water crystal clear while sending viewers on a ride through the uncanny valley via the titular character’s disturbingly robotic obviousness that hides behind realistic human-like features. Just another layer on this discomforting tale.

M3GAN is a fantastic mirror placed in front of its audience, showing us some of the ugliest aspects of our society. It’s a wickedly smart, tense, and at times darkly comedic story that’s as jarring as it is cautionary. It’s one of those movies that we should be paying attention to, and could miss some key lessons if we’re not. It’s absolutely worth a watch.

M3GAN is available to stream on Peacock and to purchase on Prime Video, Vudu, Redbox, and AppleTV.