The Battle of A.I.
M3GAN (2022) is a science fiction horror film that follows a roboticist who creates a realistic android for her niece, Cady, after losing both parents in a fatal car accident. Programmed with orders to protect Cady, M3GAN develops self-awareness through its advanced artificial intelligence, escalating to lethal violence against any perceived threats against Cady. Two years after the horrifying events, Director Gerard Johnstone follows up with his sequel, M3GAN 2.0 (2025), with the returning cast of Violet McGraw, Allison Williams, and the voice of Jenna Davis.
Heartware
M3GAN 2.0 begins at the Turkish-Iranian border, where the movie introduces A.M.E.L.I.A. (Ivanna Sakhno), a new killer robot posing as a captive by terrorists. A.M.E.L.I.A. immediately shows its deadly capabilities by easily neutralizing the terrorists. It is programmed to complete the covert mission assigned, but goes rogue to proceed with its plans. After establishing the antagonist of the film, the plot leads viewers to a therapy session attended by Cady (Violet McGraw), where she recounts incidents from the previous film and its lasting effects on her and Gemma’s (Allison Williams) present-day life. After M3GAN, Gemma is shown in a montage now working for a non-profit and becoming a spokesperson, speaking out against the use of artificial intelligence, where she meets her love interest, Christian (Aristotle Athari). The audience is reintroduced to fan-favorite characters Tess (Jen Van Epps) and Cole (Brian Jordan Alvarez) in the midst of presenting an exoskeleton to investors, which is a failed attempt. We meet a potential antagonist of the film, the unethical tech billionaire, Alton Appleton (Jermaine Clement), who makes a business offer to Gemma and her team. Cady discovers the reason why Gemma’s system is being hacked by an unknown source. This hack is another driving point for the film’s plot and leads to the discovery that M3GAN still exists and has been for the past two years silently influencing Gemma and Cady’s lives.
With the startling reveal of M3GAN, the former murderous artificial intelligence joins forces with Gemma and her team to try to halt A.M.E.L.I.A.’s world-conquering intentions, the dominance of A.I. over humanity. Ultimately leading to Gemma’s remorse about the creation of a self-awareness A.I. robot, weighing her down and altering her decisions, for example, trusting M3GAN to uphold the agreement of not harming humans, and not protecting Cady.
A.I.’s Work
The addition of Ivanna Sakhno and Jermaine Clement as the surface antagonists in this film adds another layer to the plot, pushing past the first film’s sci-fi horror genres, adding action to exceed the original, while also inviting another audience. This is impactful to the storyline, foreshadowing the final conflict between M3GAN and A.M.E.L.I.A. Director Gerard Johnstone’s sequel is reminiscent of Terminator 2 (1991) character T-800, showcasing M3GAN’s resilience to protect Cady and becoming a heroic figure for the world. With well-choreographed action scenes capitalizing on the new elements added, this new pacing is a plus to the movie.
Establishing these changes, M3GAN becomes a more complex character, leaving the A.I.with the dilemma of whether it should join A.M.E.L.I.A on its conquest or continue its original programming as a protector. Like Tess (Jen Van Epps) and Cole (Brian Jordan Alvarez), M3GAN is also used as comic relief for this film with its snarky attitude towards other characters, and she even breaks out into song for Gemma, performing Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” single. One of the main protagonists, Gemma, provides internal and external conflicts, such as her PTSD towards A.I. and her need for assistance from M3GAN to go toe-to-toe with A.M.E.L.I.A to stop A.I. from ending humanity.
Going Techno
With the addition of action in this original sci-fi-horror, there are a lot of noticeable changes when it comes to this film’s cinematography. Cinematographer Toby Oliver visually shows the distinct difference between the two characters, M3GAN and A.M.E.L.I.A. At the same time, M3GAN maintains her child-like personality, A.M.E.L.I.A is shown to be a cybernetic killer through the film’s close-up shots, broadcasting her lack of emotion during lethal events. An example of this would be their first altercation at the tech conference when A.M.E.L.I.A presents M3GAN with the option to join her. The film remains consistent with its high-tech aesthetic, using pinpoint focus in its technological settings, like the tech conference and M3GAN’s underground fortress, supporting the plot.
The film continues its suspenseful, shadowy components with its lighting in scenes like M3GAN’s reveal through a projector to Gemma and her approaching Cole to apologize for her menacing actions in the previous film. This helps as it keeps the attention of those still seeking the horror essence that the first film presents. M3GAN 2.0 capitalizes on the use of practical lighting in the streets when M3GAN, Gemma, and Cole commence a high-speed chase with A.M.E.L.I.A. after hacking and hijacking Alton’s vehicle. The practical lighting shows the evolution of this sequel. In the car chase scene, the theme song to the nostalgic TV series Knight Rider (1982) plays, adding to the film’s artificial intelligence aesthetic – an awesome Easter egg for fans referencing KITT, the A.I.car. More sounds incorporated are of the techno genre in music, which is heard when M3GAN infiltrates an A.I. convention, replacing a stage performer. The song “Dance with the Devil (feat. Pussy Riot)” by Boyfriend is played in this scene as M3GAN proceeds to “get down” on the stage in front of the audience, revealing her cover.
Update Needed
After watching the first film, there are noticeable differences in this sequel. M3GAN 2.0 may not reach its original thriller/horror audience, which it captured in the first M3GAN (2022), strictly because of the added action genre sequences. Although the choreography, cinematography, lighting, and acting are superb for this movie, it seems the target audience has changed, catering to the younger demographic. If judged as a stand-alone film, this is a great watch.
Stream M3GAN 2.0 (2025) now on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and in theaters.
M3GAN 2.0 (2025) Official Universal Pictures Trailer
Source: Dead Talk Live
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Author
Koraan Williams
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.