REVIEW: M3GAN

Director: Gerard Johnstone
Writer: Akela Cooper, James Wan
Stars: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng

Review:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting more developed as days go by, which is why I personally think that the release of this movie was very timely. When I saw this on Netflix while TV streaming, I honestly didn’t have many expectations at first. It looked like a typical AI movie where an AI goes rogue. You know, the kind of plot we’ve seen a million times since Terminator. But as someone who’s fascinated by how artificial intelligence is slowly becoming a normal part of our lives (seriously though, it’s March 2025, and my phone probably knows me better than I know myself), I gave M3GAN a try and it didn’t disappoint.

The movie is about Gemma (Allison Williams), a smart yet overworked roboticist who designs M3GAN, a lifelike doll meant to be the perfect companion for her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), who lost her parents after a tragedy. At first, everything was working as expected. M3GAN tells jokes, sings lullabies, teaches Cady, and just keeps her company—honestly, it’s kind of adorable. Of course, the AI was also programmed to protect Cady from any harm, but no one expected that this so-called protection would easily turn into a killing spree.

Just a piece of friendly advice tho, if you’re planning to watch this movie, make sure you have a fast internet connection for a smooth streaming experience. If not, then your internet plan probably needs an upgrade, and Boost Infinite deals and the like are probably what you’ll need. Okay so, going back to the story.

It broke my heart when M3GAN took the life of their neighbor’s dog. I mean, I get that she’s programmed to eliminate threats to Cady, but that poor pup didn’t deserve it! That scene hit me hard—partly because I also have a dog and am a total softie for animals, and partly because it showed just how far M3GAN’s logic could twist. From there, everything went south, and it’s so unpleasant to watch.

I was impressed by how M3GAN steals every scene. She’s equal parts cute and terrifying, and I couldn’t decide whether to root for her or run screaming. The satire on our tech-obsessed world was also beautifully shown. Gemma’s so caught up in her work that she builds a robot to raise her niece. It’s absurd, but also uncomfortably relatable. And the sad truth is, it’s more likely to happen in the near future. And honestly, it just shows that technology can’t replace humans when it comes to providing care, attention, and companionship. M3GAN might sing a beautiful lullaby, but she’ll never understand the messy, beautiful reality of human connection.

The good thing about this movie is that it’s teaching viewers lessons about the possibilities of trusting AI too much. So if you want to enjoy this movie, make sure that your internet connection is stable – whether it’s DSL, fiber, cable, or satellite internet.

Reflecting on the movie, I do think that it’s highly likely that a similar situation to happen in the future, especially if AI becomes even more advanced. What’s to stop someone from building an AI companion that takes “protection” too far? It’s a scary thought, but M3GAN makes it entertaining too. Maybe it’s a warning in a horror film. The key takeaway is, don’t let the robots run the show, or at least double-check their code.

The Verdict
M3GAN is a good watch. I’d rate it a solid 8/10. It’s a timely, twisted take on AI that I think we can all learn from. Just make sure your WiFi is up to speed. Right now, I’m still side-eyeing my smart devices and thinking of what could possibly happen. Watch it, and let me know if you’d trust her with your family!