The original M3GAN struck gold by doing something refreshingly weird; it gave us a horror film that knew how to wink. It played with the creep factor, leaned into satire, and never took itself too seriously. But in M3GAN 2.0, which hit theatres on June 27, that quirky charm seems to have been left behind, swapped out for spectacle and sci-fi chaos.
This time around, the stakes are no longer personal; they’re global. Instead of the quiet horror of a malfunctioning doll in a suburban home, we’re thrown into an adrenaline-fueled world of AI wars, government agencies, and billionaire tech overlords. And somewhere in that noise, the sharp pulse that made the first film stand out starts to fade.
Too Much, Too Fast
The sequel tries to do it all, introduce a new villain, raise the stakes, expand the universe, but ends up tangled in its wires. The plot centers around stolen M3GAN technology, the introduction of a newer, deadlier AI called AMELIA, and a lot of chatter about tech ethics and military misuse. It’s not that these themes aren’t interesting; it’s that they’re delivered in a way that feels cluttered and rushed.
There’s a fine line between complex and messy. Unfortunately, M3GAN 2.0 leans toward the latter. Moments that should land with emotional weight are buried under exposition or drowned out by the next chase scene.
She’s Still Got It… Sort Of
M3GAN, of course, remains the star attraction. Once again performed physically by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis, she’s sharp-tongued, stylish, and unbothered. Her entrance scenes and combat moments are easily the film’s highlights, dripping with flair and sarcasm. But the character has undergone a makeover from unsettling childlike figure to something sleeker, more polished, and strangely less terrifying.
What made her effective in the first film was that weird, uncanny mix of innocence and threat. That balance has tilted now, and while her new persona is visually striking, it loses the edge that once made her truly unsettling.
Camp Over Commentary
While the first M3GAN thrived on its social commentary about parenting, screen addiction, and our growing comfort with AI, the sequel doesn’t dig as deep. It seems more interested in big action moments than in exploring its ideas. There’s a campy energy that some viewers might enjoy, but much of the humor feels louder and more forced.
Still, not everything misses. Allison Williams reprises her role as Gemma, now something of a public figure advocating for tech regulation. Violet McGraw steps back into the role of Cady, now a teenager with a growing interest in coding and a sharper voice in the story’s moral conflicts.
Jemaine Clement joins the cast as a smug, headline-hungry tech billionaire who adds both tension and a touch of absurdity. On the darker end, Ivanna Sakhno’s portrayal of AMELIA, the film’s cold and calculated new AI, adds a quiet intensity that cuts through the chaos. The cast does its part, but the script gives them too little breathing room.
The Audience Is Split—And Fairly So
The early reactions reflect the film’s uneven tone. Rotten Tomatoes hovers around the 59% mark, while Metacritic lands at 54, both pointing to a divided response. Some appreciate the bold, campy pivot and enjoy it as a chaotic thrill ride. Others feel like it’s a sequel that forgot what made its predecessor memorable in the first place.
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Final Thoughts
M3GAN 2.0 isn’t without entertainment value; it’s slick, fast-paced, and occasionally funny. But it also feels like a sequel trying to outgrow itself too fast. In its attempt to go bigger and bolder, it loses touch with the intimate horror and clever satire that turned the original into a sleeper hit.
Fans who loved M3GAN for her eerie smile and twisted loyalty might leave feeling disconnected. Those more drawn to stylized action and tech-world satire could find reasons to stay engaged. But one thing’s clear: this isn’t the same doll we met three years ago. And whether that’s a good thing or not… depends on what you wanted her to become.
Writer – Subham Choudhary