“M3GAN 2.0” Takes a Different Path

M3GAN 2.0 (Gerard Johnstone, 2025) 3 out of 5 stars

In a world where seemingly every movie gets a sequel these days, I still couldn’t believe 2022’s M3GAN was getting a sequel when I first heard about it. I enjoyed M3GAN, a unique fusion of humor and horror (you can read my full thoughts on the original film here), but what more of the story was there to tell? The answer, it seems, is to craft a completely different story.

In M3GAN 2.0, another artificially intelligent robot named A.M.E.L.I.A, initially for military and espionage use, goes rogue. When AMELIA starts murdering all who have had a hand in her creation, M3GAN creator Gemma (Allison Williams, returning) starts to believe she may be next, as AMELIA shows many similar characteristics to M3GAN. To help stop AMELIA and keep her niece Cady (Violet McGraw, also back for more) safe, Gemma resurrects the infamous M3GAN, but can they fully trust her after what she has done?

While the original M3GAN is a horror/comedy hybrid, M3GAN 2.0 does away with most of its horror aspects in favor of an action/adventure spy thriller, complete with the signature humor fans loved in the previous film. The choice is a bold one, and it might alienate some horror audiences, but I ultimately think that Johnstone (who also directed the first film) makes the right move here. You see, I originally was not at all interested in checking out M3GAN 2.0, but when I saw that they were going the action-comedy route, I thought, “That might actually be fun.”

And fun it is! Though it’s not without its faults, M3GAN 2.0 is a very humorous, action-packed sequel that is different form the original but succeeds in its own way. It contains many thrilling fight sequences mixed with the signature AI humor that made MEGAN special. Impressive visuals and set pieces aid in bringing everything to life. Much of the cast from returns and they all do a fine job and turn in quality performances, outside of one individual performance that falls flat, unfortunately.

My favorite aspect of M3GAN 2.0, though, is the technology on display and the intriguing themes of humanity. There are quite a few interesting tidbits involving AI and human interaction. The timely commentary connects to the modern world and presents some thought-provoking ideas. The technology used throughout the film, which years ago would likely have been seen as far-fetched, seems more realistic today than ever.

M3GAN 2.0 nevertheless contains a few bugs that affect the overall quality of the film. Many will notice how derivative M3GAN 2.0 is of other similar films involving AI and robots. There are several ideas and abilities that both M3GAN and AMELIA possess that we’ve seen plenty of times before. On the other hand, there are quite a few plot contrivances that don’t quite make sense, and some specific instances where something doesn’t add up, leading to a more convoluted-than-necessary narrative.

Speaking of that plot, I prefer the trajectory of the original. I think horror and comedy are more original and memorable as compared to action-comedy, of which we’ve seen plenty. A drawn-out ending and unnecessary twist also take the overall story down a few notches. Finally, while there are many jokes and comedic bits that hit, there are a few that are downright cringe and completely over-the-top.

Overall, M3GAN 2.0 is an odd sequel that strays quite a bit from the first movie but finds just enough new material to entertain and intrigue. Though it borrows much from other films and has a few weak spots, the characters, most of the humor, and the conversations about technology and AI lift the film above its drawbacks. In a world with unnecessary sequels, I won’t say this one is necessary, but it certainly broadens the scope of the M3GAN world.

Matt Patti

Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.