The “M3gan” franchise is back with its second installment, “M3gan 2.0”, a campy horror film that explores artificial intelligence. Director Gerard Johnstone returns to the world of killer doll M3GAN, who was introduced in 2022 as an A.I.-powered android programmed to protect Gemma’s niece Cady.
The movie follows Gemma, now an author and advocate for AI regulation, as she monitors her niece’s tech usage. She develops products like a kind of exoskeleton that increases human stamina and strength, and forms an ambiguous relationship with Christian, a tech ethicist. However, when a mysterious weapon named Amelia appears, and a billionaire starts sniffing around Gemma’s lab, things take a turn for the worse.
Like its predecessor, “M3gan 2.0” is a campy delight, filled with elaborate silliness, acrobatic fighting, and a hilarious nod to an AI product that flopped in real life. However, the movie feels overstuffed and slow-paced, reaching its climax around the 80-minute mark.
The film raises interesting questions about Hollywood’s obsession with A.I. as a destructive force. While it may not have the answers, “M3gan 2.0” serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked AI development. Despite its campy nature, the movie takes a serious stance on the need for regulation and safeguards in A.I. development.
“M3gan 2.0” is rated PG-13 for cartoonish violence and bad language, with a running time of 1 hour 59 minutes. It’s now playing in theaters.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/movies/megan-2-0-review.html