M3GAN 2.0 is a science fiction action movie about a killer doll. Two years after going rogue, M3GAN is rebuilt to fight a new military-grade robot named AMELIA. The film moves away from horror and focuses on action and campy comedy. It features female lead characters who fight each other. Some characters give preachy speeches about the dangers of smartphones and technology.
Why 41%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for M3GAN 2.0.
Woke representation / casting
The main characters are mostly women, including Gemma, Cady, and the robot AMELIA. The cast also features openly gay actor Brian Jordan Alvarez as a tech teammate. The diversity is moderate and fits a modern tech setting in San Francisco. It is a natural continuation of the first film's cast and does not feel like a forced quota.
25%
Woke political dialogue
The script contains a few preachy lectures on technology. Gemma compares smartphone use in children to cocaine. The dialogue also has occasionally forced, feminist-style jokes. For example, M3GAN tells characters to hold onto their vaginas. It lacks deep or heavy-handed activist speeches about politics.
10%
Identity-driven story themes
The story centers on rogue artificial intelligence, family trust, and corporate greed. It does not focus on race, gender, or sexual identity. The marketing made M3GAN look like a queer or feminist icon. However, the actual movie is just a standard science fiction thriller about robots fighting.
24%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The movie relies on common movie tropes. Gemma's boyfriend Christian turns out to be a corrupt villain. A greedy military contractor also acts as an antagonist. These elements serve as generic plot obstacles. The film does not criticize traditional family structures, Christianity, or Western culture.
25%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
The film faced a strong backlash from conservative movie blogs and YouTube channels. Critics complained about the movie's aggressive LGBTQ+ Pride marketing. The fictional doll appeared on queer magazine covers making statements about pronouns. Audiences also disliked how the creepy horror sequel became a campy girlboss action movie.
65%
Creator track record context
Screenwriters James Wan, Gerard Johnstone, and Akela Cooper have low scores. They focus on commercial horror. However, lead actress and producer Allison Williams and producer Sarah Paek have a public record of supporting diversity and LGBTQ+ causes.
24%
Production
