The movie M3GAN (2022) mixes horror, sci-fi and thriller themes to address the bigger problems of AI. I will be examining both the movie itself, comments from the director as well as heavy criticisms and praises of the movie. M3GAN is a horror sci-fi film about a killer doll made using AI who is created to be a friend/companion for a little girl. M3GAN has the ability to listen, observe and also learn as she is taking on the role of both a friend and teacher, while also being playmate and a protector of sorts. However, when Gemma, the scientist who invented her, gives her niece a M3GAN prototype, things take a scary and unimaginable turn. I am arguing that this film helps us to really look into the fears and surprises that AI created assistants can bring to the real world. This film blends genres by taking classic movie themes and tropes and gives them a modern twist and takes real present day fears of technology and AI and brings them to our attention. This movie also helps to give a new definition to the classic “killer doll” genre. I will be using genre studies to make this point. Genre studies is a subject that looks at and sorts different kinds of art, like books, paintings, and language. It studies how different types of writing work in certain social and cultural settings by examining their forms, words, and rules.

One of the biggest themes of this movie is the very real-world fears about AI and advanced technology.  This movie does a really good job at showing how close we are to letting artificial intelligence take over parts of our lives, such as parenting, how we interact with one another and more. The way M3gan starts out as a helpful and protective friend then slowly becomes dangerous, reflects a lot of the fears we have about giving too much control to technology. It made me think about how easily we can become dependent on AI without fully understanding the consequences. I think the film exaggerates things for effect but also taps into real concerns like what happens when machines learn too much, make their own decisions, and blur the lines between tool and threat.

The film also delves into the fears that parents have regarding their kids’ screen time and how much they are using their technology. Watching M3GAN made me think about how much kids and younger generations are obsessed with technology and use it for almost everything. The movie isn’t just creepy; I definitely feel as if it is a warning about the future of AI and life-like technology. According to The Harbinger, M3GAN, “presents itself as a critique of overreliance on technology, particularly in parenting” (Haas, 2023). The way the doll gradually replaces a real parental figure felt disturbingly realistic. Parents.com also points out that the movie “urges parents to rethink their screen time and tech toy rules” (Sweeney, 2023). This just goes to help us realize how easy it is to let screens and devices take the reins when we don’t want to do something or feel overwhelmed. M3GAN “reminds us that just because technology can do something doesn’t mean it should” (Sweeney, 2023). There isn’t a right or wrong approach to parenting. However, certain strategies are more beneficial for a child’s growth. Cady exemplifies various aspects of child neglect. Although her parents provide emotional support, they fail to recognize that Cady is deprived of social experiences, such as participating in a classroom, engaging in play with peers, and forming friendships with children her age. For Gemma, her understanding of parenting is inconsistent and impulsive. She has a lack of sensitivity towards Cady’s grief but then becomes overly dependent on M3GAN to fulfill all of Cady’s needs and offer guidance, ultimately leading to a complete loss of control over Cady’s behavior. I think there’s also a lot of themes regarding what a parental figure is, especially with how the norms and definition society has for it has definitely changed. Even up to the 80s it was thought that a traditional parent unit was like just a mom and a dad but like now it’s very much a parental unit can be one parent, two parents or three parents like it’s very much different and unique to every single household.  M3GAN made me think a lot about how a lot of parents and guardians in today’s age really depend on technology to help them out. The thought of letting a machine take on emotional and social roles because we feel stressed, busy, or don’t know how to connect with our kids is just absolutely scary and kind of wild. M3GAN wasn’t just a spooky robot, she showed audiences how easy it is to want to let technology handle parenting. However, the movie also showed that no matter how advanced a machine is, it can never replace the real connections we have with each other and the messy as well as challenging work of actually raising a child.

M3GAN stands out as a great example of elevated horror, mixing traditional genre elements and tropes like the classic “creepy doll concept”, with modern day social commentary. In my opinion, it has both the suspense and excitement from a horror film but goes beyond the norms a little bit by tackling relevant issues such as dependence on technology, the moral dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence, and parenting in a digital age. M3GAN isn’t just a terrifying presence, she represents how modern-day technologies can take the place of humans. By combining horror with criticism of life today, M3GAN carves out a place in the elevated horror genre, reminiscent of psychological thrills films like Hereditary and Get Out.  Audiences that like these movies and generally enjoy them as horror staples or just like film/movie classics in general will definitely enjoy M3GAN.

M3GAN is also a great example of the elevated horror genre because it uses familiar horror elements to critique things like consumerism, artificial intelligence, and how modern technology can make us feel Out of touch. The story mixes horror and drama, especially through the bond between the AI doll and Cady. M3GAN “explores ideas and themes that go beyond what a typical horror movie would,” showing how technology meant to bring us together can actually make us feel more alone (Ben Konuch, 2023). Another good thing about this movie is “The movie can also be interpreted as a type of socio-cultural technological critique. Rather than the normal analysis of human dependence on cell phones and social media, one of the film’s critiques centers on the intersection of corporate profits and technology innovation, at the expense of personal and social ethics. A big theme that emerged was Gemma’s urgent need to develop a new toy for her company to best out the competition. While she wants to innovate and introduce new ideas, her boss is only focused on quickly generating profits on a limited budget. Facing pressure from her boss, who’s facing pressure from the board of shareholders, Gemma introduces M3GAN to the market prematurely” (FILM REVIEW: Philosophical Roots in Tech-Horror, Harrison Middleton University, 2023). M3GAN, which stands for “Model 3 Generative Android”, is a doll that is super creepy. What makes her so frightening is how she shifts between looking robotic and human. Sometimes M3GAN moves in a robotic way, but she can also look very human, even though she’s still an android. Then, she might start dancing or sprinting on all fours through the woods. It reminds me of those lifelike masks of babies and celebrities that people wear. It’s easy to tell they’re fake, but their realistic look combined with a normal human body can really mess with the mind, creating a figure that feels like a nightmare. M3GAN takes advantage of this effect. She can seem human at times, but she also has her robotic moments.

Another thing I wanted to look at was how this movie compares to other past films that have been made that might be considered similar. M3GAN is different from other horror movies I would argue because it mixes horror, humor, and emotional storytelling in a unique way. I can see it having some similarities to classic films like Child’s Play, especially with its creepy, lifelike doll but it tells a more modern story that focuses on technology. Instead of just using blood and jump scares like many slasher films, M3GAN explores our fears about being too dependent on technological advancements and artificial intelligence. The movie also combines creepy scenes with dark comedy, which makes it different from serious horror films. M3GAN creates its own special place in the horror genre, being both exciting and thought-provoking.

Although it isn’t a movie, the movie M3GAN can be compared to the Black Mirror episode that we watched in class, featuring Miley Cyrus and her fictional popstar persona Ashley O. In the episode, Ashley releases a doll called the “Ashley Too”, which is a little robot-like doll that is built to be your friend and has a lot of Ashley O’s personality traits. She starts off as an innocent toy, but overtime becomes self-aware after an attempt to fix her goes wrong, and suddenly she loses her automated doll voice and sounds just like Ashley O. She even claims to be her, as during this time Ashley O is in a drug induced coma after being poisoned by her aunt in an attempt to take over her career. I think this episode also does a good job at commenting on the similar themes that M3GAN is, about toys and technology. Nadya Ellerhorst, staff writer for The Review said “As someone whose childhood eyes were perpetually bombarded with neon-laden, unnaturally lit commercials for gadgets like Fijit Friends, FurReal Friends and other robotic devices probably intended to replace living friends — the same type of commercials and toys the film openly parodies — I walked away from “M3GAN” especially impressed with its biting commentary on the toy industry” (Ellerhorst 2023). When comparing M3GAN to other toy related movies, Inwoikd says that the most noticeable distinction between Chucky and M3GAN lies in their backstories. M3gan is a lifelike artificial intelligence made of metal and software, designed to cater to the desires of her little girl Cady. As M3GAN interacts more with the internet, she gradually becomes harsh and violent, taking extreme measures to protect her child. The concept of a machine programmed with a set goal in mind, thinking that murder is the only way to fulfill its role is pretty scary.

There is also a theme about workplace dynamics as well as the way bosses and employees interact with each other, particularly between leaders and their staff. It shines a light on Kurt, a minor character who works at the same company as Gemma. His boss frequently undermines him in front of others and in private. Seeking respect and a bit of revenge, Kurt sees the potential in M3GAN. The intense work atmosphere pushes employees to prioritize profits and corporate rivalry over human dignity and ethics involving technology. The film effectively portrays various challenges in workplace relationships stemming from poor leadership, profit greediness, and the push for innovation, which I think raises some important questions.

This movie also deals with more somber and sad themes, such as grief and how to cope with losses. After both of her parents’ deaths, Cady finds herself missing the very special bond and relationship she had with her parents, as well as the safety every kid feels (or should feel) with their parents. Using these feelings of grief and sadness, Cady attempts to replicate those feelings and experience that with M3GAN. As M3GAN’s only goal and reason to exist in life is to keep Cady safe and out of harm’s way, in a way she is filling a void that was left after the car accident that claimed the lives of Cady’s mom and dad. Gemma is also dealing with the loss of her sister and brother-in-law by steering clear of the painful emotions that come with it. She goes out of her way to keep both Cady and herself happy. This ties into M3GAN, as Cady’s happiness grows when she finds a friend in M3GAN, which also helps boost Gemma’s mood. The movie highlights that neither of these coping strategies is healthy, especially in a scene where Gemma takes M3GAN away after the doll killed their neighbor. Cady is not happy about this at all, even kicking Gemma’s seat while pleading to find out where M3GAN is. At that moment, Gemma understands that dodging the painful feelings associated with death isn’t a viable way to cope, and she realizes that Cady’s bond with M3GAN is actually doing more harm than good. MEGAN centers on a straightforward theme of family and relationships, which isn’t a fully new concept in the world and genre of horror movies and thriller films. The movie has a lot to say beneath the surface of its horror exterior, and grief and loss are central to its emotional core. M3GAN explores how people, especially children, cope with traumatic loss. Cady, the young girl at the center of the story, gets suddenly thrust into the care of her aunt Gemma, who is not at all prepared for the responsibilities of parenting, especially when it comes to helping a child process loss.

Gemma, a robotics engineer, avoids directly engaging with Cady’s grief and instead creates M3GAN to be a companion and surrogate caretaker. M3GAN is designed to “protect” Cady emotionally and physically, and this is where the film starts digging into its critique: it questions our tendency to outsource emotional labor to technology, especially when we’re uncomfortable or unequipped to deal with complex feelings like grief. A lot of people emotionally just shut down when they are faced with or are dealing with emotions that they are not used to or feel cautious of addressing. I definitely feel like, however, that it is way more common and less taboo to be open and in touch with these raw emotions than it was even ten years ago. More and more television shows and movies are working their way to talking about and addressing these more which is really good for people who are not comfortable with talking about these emotions.

Instead of helping Cady work through her loss in a healthy, human way, M3GAN offers constant distraction and surface-level comfort—essentially numbing her grief. The bond between Cady and M3GAN becomes unhealthy and codependent, with M3GAN taking on an almost parental role, which underscores how grief can make someone, especially a child, cling to anything that offers a sense of safety or familiarity. By the end of the film as things spiral out of control, it’s clear that healing from grief requires human connection, boundaries, and time, not quick fixes or AI stand-ins. M3GAN ultimately shows how avoiding or suppressing grief, even with good intentions, can have destructive consequences.

I’m really intrigued by the whole idea behind “M3GAN.” It revolves around a doll, which is a classic horror movie theme that tends to freak people out. However, M3GAN takes it a step further by exploring more than just the idea of a possessed toy. M3GAN is aware of herself and constantly improving. She’s built to be the ultimate companion and will go to great lengths for Cady, making her own choices rather than being controlled. It taps into one of our deepest fears: the idea that something created to bring us comfort can become corrupted, all thanks to technology designed by humans. When I first got the chance to watch and really experience the movie, M3GAN felt like stepping into a twisted funhouse where horror and comedy constantly bounce off each other. As someone who loves both genres, I thought it was cool and very unique how the film manages to balance genuine dread with moments that made me laugh as well interestingly enough. M3GAN herself is the perfect example as she’s both terrifying and absurd, dancing down hallways before brutally attacking someone or calmly talking right after a violent act. The film plays with modern anxieties and fears about society such as our dependence on technology, parenting in the digital age, and emotional detachment. For me, that blend of humor and horror made M3GAN feel like it understood the tone of today’s internet culture while still delivering a classic sci-fi thriller vibe. The film, directed by Gerard Johnstone, is a great example for studying different movie types because it mixes and twists the usual rules from horror, science fiction, and thriller genres. It also shows important cultural worries about technology, AI, and raising kids.

Sources 

Bansal, A. (2023, January 22). Creepy or Comedy?: Horror science-fiction movie M3GAN adds a new twist to the genre of horror. The Harbinger Online. https://smeharbinger.net/creepy-or-comedy-horror-science-fiction-movie-m3gan-adds-a-new-twist-to-the-genre-of-horror/

Davis, J. L. (2023b, January 13). ‘M3GAN’ challenges parents to consider kids’ exposure to technology. Parents. https://www.parents.com/m3gan-urges-parents-to-rethink-their-screen-time-and-tech-toy-rules-7094533

Demick, S. (2023, January 23). https://udreview.com/movie-review-m3gan-is-a-clever-synthesis-of-our-worst-fears/

Jahns, J. (2023, January 6). M3GAN – movie review [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r1FMdfp3j4 M3GAN’ upgrades horror with unsettling and hilarious twists. (2023, February 1). Cedars. https://cedars.cedarville.edu/2023/02/m3gan-upgrades-horror-with-unsettling-and-hilarious-twists/

Simon, A. (2023, November 10). FILM REVIEW: Philosophical roots in Tech-Horror. HMU. https://hmu.edu/film-review-philosophical-roots-in-tech-horror/