M3GAN 2.0 Review: A Frustrating, Tonally Confused Sequel That Struggles to Find Its Identity
Three years after the surprise success of M3GAN, director Gerard Johnstone returns with a follow-up that tries to blend horror and sci-fi action but ultimately feels both too soon and too late. Reuniting Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, M3GAN 2.0 expands the story with multiple versions of the titular doll and introduces a new antagonist, Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno), in a narrative that shifts gears abruptly and loses emotional focus.
Where the original film balanced razor-sharp dark humor and campy horror, this sequel abandons scares in favor of action sequences that aim for a “Terminator II for Girls” vibe but lack vitality. Johnstone takes over scriptwriting duties from Akela Cooper, whose witty and tight storytelling in the original is replaced by a heavy-handed, exposition-heavy script that weighs down the film.
Allison Williams reprises her role as Gemma, a flawed inventor and reluctant caregiver who grapples with her past negligence toward her niece Cady (McGraw). While the characters and M3GAN’s vicious one-liners retain some of the first film’s charm, the sequel is bogged down by overly earnest moralizing and inconsistent special effects.
Despite M3GAN’s cult status as a campy, occasionally hilarious horror icon, the sequel’s attempt to turn her into a redemptive action hero falls flat. The film’s shifting tone and unnecessary narrative threads create a disjointed viewing experience that neither fully satisfies horror fans nor action enthusiasts. Even standout performances, like Jemaine Clement’s quirky tech billionaire, cannot salvage the uneven storytelling.
M3GAN 2.0 is an ambitious but flawed effort from a talented director still finding his footing in action filmmaking. With its mix of missed opportunities and laughable pandering, the film serves as a cautionary tale for Blumhouse’s sequels. Devoted fans may find enough quirky moments to enjoy, but overall, the sequel struggles to capture the unique spirit that made the original a surprise hit.
