Hollywood is having a full-blown existential crisis over artificial intelligence. And it’s not hard to see why: between movies that treat AI like a zombie apocalypse or as humanity’s salvation, the industry seems to have forgotten that audiences mainly want one thing—a good story. In 2025, we’ve already endured the Russo brothers’ shipwreck The Electric State and been saved by the intriguing Companion, though that one humanizes the machine a bit too much. Now it’s time for M3GAN 2.0.
Directed once again by Gerard Johnstone, who co-wrote the screenplay with Akela Cooper, the film pushes further into the themes explored in the first movie, focusing on how technology is shaping people’s lives. In a bloated and messy plot that runs over two hours, we learn that the killer doll was apparently destroyed—but now a new AI is threatening people’s lives and safety.
And that’s where the heart of the movie lies: Gemma (Allison Williams), M3GAN’s creator, is called in to stop this new machine. But how can she do it alone—and while also having to answer to the government? That’s when the idea of bringing the doll back comes into play.
From Horror to Action
In an unexpected twist, M3GAN 2.0 shifts from horror into, believe it or not, an action movie. Clearly inspired by the Terminator franchise, the machine becomes a protector of Cady (Violet McGraw), Gemma’s niece and former owner of the killer doll. It’s a bold and even curious decision, which could have allowed Johnstone to explore new styles, ideas, and symbols.
But that’s not exactly what unfolds on screen. The genre shift comes with a shift in tone. M3GAN 2.0 doesn’t just change outfits—it loses its soul. The bizarre and over-the-top humor that gave the original its personality? Practically gone. The action scenes? As generic as any straight-to-video flick from the ‘90s. M3GAN appears less and leaves a much weaker impression.
And that’s where things really fall apart. Not only is the movie significantly less fun—with action scenes that could’ve been pulled from any Netflix B-movie—but the AI debate is handled with the depth of a middle school essay.
M3GAN herself becomes a sort of friendly Alexa with maternal instincts. It’s as if the screenwriters were afraid to offend any Apple or Google executive. The result is a lukewarm narrative that doesn’t dare to take a firm stance either for or against AI, opting instead for the safest (and dullest) middle ground. In the most predictable and uninspired way, the film suggests the future could be positive—if humanity teams up with the robots.
No spoilers here, but trust us: the final decisions are weak, giving tech a free pass and avoiding any real depth. The takeaway? If you’re going to completely change the tone of a franchise, you’d better have a great story to tell. This one doesn’t. M3GAN deserved better.
