M3GAN (2022)

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Throughout the years, there has been no shortage of "killer doll" stories. It's probably safe to say that most people in the world know of at least one, whether it be movies like 'Child's Play', books like R.L. Stine's 'Night of the Living Dummy' or even made for TV movies like 'Trilogy of Terror', whose final short about a terrifying doll traumatized children everywhere at the time. But with so many examples out there (and I must stress, there are far more than what's been listed), what is it about 'M3GAN' that feels so... right?

First and foremost, the story comes to us from James Wan, who plainly understands what "creepy" means. Further titles of his, be it screenplay or story, include some of the 'Saw' and 'Conjuring' movies. Together with screenwriter Akela Cooper and Director Gerard Johnstone, they provide the perfect atmosphere for something like this. At times, it can be pleasant and happy, and at others, it can be pretty creepy. On top of it all, however, lies a dark sense of humour, allowing the viewer not to take things too seriously.

A girl named Cady (Violet McGraw) experiences childhood trauma when her parents are killed in a car crash. She is sent to live with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who works for a robotic toy company called "Funki." Gemma's latest project is M3GAN (standing for Model 3 Generative Android). A test of it, however, fails, and she's ordered to drop the project by her boss, David (Ronny Chieng). Meanwhile, Gemma's new relationship with Cady is a bit rocky back home. That is, until Cady discovers a mocap robot named Bruce, and upon interacting with it, expresses a wish that she could have a toy like that.

This prompts Gemma to bring a completed M3GAN (Amie Donald/Jenna Davis) home behind her boss's back. She turns out to excel at everything she should, not the least of which includes becoming a companion for Cady. Her caretaking responsibilities and ability to learn and divulge knowledge are nothing short of extraordinary. M3GAN learns very quickly, utilizing the internet to her advantage, but she also has a protocol in place to protect and care for Cady. This leads to some somewhat overprotective methods on her part, and soon enough, she becomes more than she can handle as she slowly becomes increasingly independent.

So, going back to this feeling "right", another way to put it would be to say that this is what the 'Child's Play' reboot should have been. I think 'Child's Play' had the right idea, but the execution took itself too seriously. Conceptually, they both centre on the ever-popular cautionary tale of technology going awry and becoming self-aware, which could ultimately lead to some catastrophic event. However, I think in the case of 'M3GAN,' things make a hell of a lot more sense. Additionally, this isn't an attempt to revive an old property in order to cash-in.

This also introduces a creep factor from the lead kid, as Cady becomes increasingly reliant on M3GAN, and she seems to view her more as a real person. It makes sense to make such a connection at such a tender age if your parents were in a fatal accident, and the film takes solid advantage of that. At times, you're not sure who's scarier - Cady or M3GAN. I liked how Cady never quite grasped how M3GAN could pose a threat, whereas in most "killer doll" movies, the kid (or whoever is involved) eventually figures it out and becomes scared. Cady's a little more unsure of her new guardian, Gemma, than she is of her new best friend.

Speaking of, Gemma is also a well-written character, as she shows two very human sides to herself. She tries to be kind and sweet to Cady, giving her what she needs. But she also needs Cady to help show what M3GAN she can do. She strikes a good balance between being a guardian who walks the fine line between career and parenthood. There are times you don't like her, but you still get the impression that she's trying. This is a solid step forward in "creep-doll" horror, sending all the right messages about AI getting out of hand, but also delving deeper into relationships and trust. Altogether, this is well done.

4/5

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