M3GAN 2.0 Review
review
✦
review ✦
M3GAN was a breakout hit in 2023—equal parts meme, menace, and modern horror icon. With her unsettling stare, killer instincts, and meme-worthy dance moves, the AI doll became a cultural sensation and box office success. Naturally, a sequel followed. And with M3GAN 2.0, the franchise attempts to push its boundaries—both narratively and tonally.
For the most part, there’s even a lot to like here: Megan as a character evolves in ways that are both surprising and fun, the action is more ambitious, and the film’s sense of humor remains intact. But in trying to stretch across multiple genres, M3GAN 2.0 occasionally loses sight of what made the original work so well. The result is a solid, entertaining sequel that aims high—but doesn’t entirely stick the landing.
M3GAN 2.0 (2025), Universal Pictures
A Smarter, More Self-Aware M3GAN
If there’s one thing the sequel gets right, it’s M3GAN herself. This time around, the character is even more developed—emotionally and technically. There’s a deeper sense of purpose to her choices, and the film plays with her awareness in clever ways that suggest real growth. She’s still sarcastic, stylish, and deadly—but this M3GAN is also more calculating and, strangely, sympathetic.
Credit goes to the writing and nuanced performance for giving her more layers to work with. Whether she’s upgrading her look, or playing psychological chess with her creators, M3GAN continues to be one of the most interesting modern horror figures. You can’t look away—and the movie knows it. The sequel also gives her more agency and screen time, doubling down on what fans came for in the first place. She’s not just a rogue AI; she’s a fully formed personality—and that helps elevate even the film’s weaker moments. Fortunately, in the film’s final moments, we get to see that M3GAN isn’t a character who’s forced back into a specific personality type either, and we genuinely love that.
Action and Comedy Land Better Than the Genre Leap
M3GAN 2.0 brings more action to the table than its predecessor, and it mostly works. The set pieces are slick, occasionally over-the-top, and delivered with the kind of polished absurdity that fans will enjoy. The film also keeps its comedic edge sharp—there are plenty of well-timed moments that lean into the ridiculousness of a sentient, hyperintelligent doll trying to navigate both violence and virtual girlhood.
But where the film stumbles is in its genre-blending. M3GAN 2.0 tries to be horror, sci-fi, action, and dark comedy all at once—and while the ambition is admirable, the transitions between tones don’t always feel smooth. Some scenes land with punchy energy, while others feel like they belong in a different movie entirely. The tonal whiplash doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does dilute the emotional impact and partially weakens the pacing just enough to feel noticeable.
Still Entertaining, Just Not Upgraded Enough
Despite its flaws, M3GAN 2.0 isn’t a bad film by any means—it just feels like a film caught in the middle of an identity shift. It clearly wants to expand the franchise and push the iconic character into new territory, but it doesn't quite commit to any one direction long enough to make it feel truly satisfying.
That said, the movie still has enough going for it to make it a worthy watch. The pacing moves quickly, the performances are steady, and M3GAN herself remains a highlight in nearly every scene she's in. There's also a clear sense that the creative team had fun making this—and that fun does translate on screen, even if the execution is a little messy from time to time.
And in today’s horror landscape, where many sequels lean entirely into formula, M3GAN 2.0 at least tries to take a swing at something new. That creative risk deserves some credit, even if the end result is uneven.
Score: 6.5/10
Overall, M3GAN 2.0 is a respectable follow-up that reaches for growth, but its ambitions occasionally leave it feeling overextended.
