One might groan upon learning of a new movie featuring a killer doll. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that the “Child’s Play” remake hit the silver screen, not to mention the current “Chucky” television series and numerous feature-length predecessors.
Then, of course, there’s the warm and huggable “Annabelle” from the “Conjuring” universe. As such, if you’re wondering “what else is there to be told?”, producer James Wan and horror studio Blumhouse’s latest effort, “M3GAN”, might surprise you.
When Gemma’s sister and brother-in-law are killed in a snow-plough accident (oof, too soon, poor Jeremy Renner!), she takes in her nine-year-old niece, Cady. Feeling unequipped to raise a child on her own, Gemma – a roboticist at a toy company called Funki – uses her expertise to fine-tune a discarded android to help lighten the load of parenting. What could go wrong?
Enter the Model 3 Generative Android, or M3GAN (voiced by Jenna Davis and acted by Amie Donald): a lifelike doll that, despite being sinister to the audience upon first glance, is deemed by Gemma to be the perfect friend and caretaker for her ward.
And perfect she is – that is, until the bodies start piling up. Gifted to Cady with orders to protect her at all costs, whether from emotional or physical harm, M3GAN takes her role seriously. Very. Very. Seriously.
Be it a mean neighbour or a school bully, the AI takes it upon herself to eliminate anyone who even dares to breathe wrongly around Cady. One memorable death sequence blends dark humour and horror in glorious fashion, with M3GAN giving chase to her victim on all fours like a beast, taunting and torturing the subject before his death.
So, what works here? Let’s start with the human characters. Allison Williams is well-cast as the career-oriented and ambitious Gemma, bringing strength and vulnerability to a character who means well but – maybe, just maybe – might not have taken the smartest approach to caring for a child.
As Cady, young Violet McGraw brings a stellar performance. Her role requires her to be sad in one scene and bratty in the next – demonstrating acting prowess many others her age might not possess.
The star of the show, however, is undoubtedly M3GAN herself. Brought to life through a combo of CGI and practical effects, the darling doll needs only a knowing glance or squint for the audience to know who will be next on her kill list.
Her movements produce a light whirring sound to remind you she’s not human, which is a nice touch without being distracting. Coupled with her perpetually blank expression, it can be downright chilling.
Pacing-wise, director Gerard Johnstone and screenwriter Akela Cooper take their time to establish the emotional groundwork and bond, or lack of, between aunt and niece. After all, despite having lost their family members, they don’t take their time to mourn properly.
As Gemma says to Cady in one scene: “M3GAN is not the solution, she’s just a distraction [from your grief].”
The family drama and themes of loss may not be what some viewers came for, but be patient – these moments pay off by letting you know what’s at stake for the main players when the robot embarks on her murderous rampage.
To its credit, “M3GAN”, the film, doesn’t take itself seriously. One particularly tongue-in-cheek moment happens when the AI starts singing SIA’s “Titanium” in an effort to comfort Cady. It’s funny, kinda sorta, since her skeleton is literally made of that material.
And then there’s the scene when M3GAN starts busting moves in a GIF-worthy dance. When that moment comes – a glimpse of which is visible in the trailer below – it is hilarious and wonderful, with just the right amount of dread and menace.
All in all, this is an enjoyable take on the killer-doll trope, proving that, regardless of one’s preconceptions, it might not be a dead genre after all. Which is more than can be said for those with the misfortune of crossing M3GAN’s path.
‘M3GAN’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.