Opened: January 6, 2023

Directed by: Gerard Johnstone

Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Jen Van Epps, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jack Cassidy, Ronny Chieng, Amy Usherwood, Lori Dungey, Stephane Garneau-Monton, Arlo Green & Kira Josephson

Feeling like a combination of the Chucky-led Child’s Play and Disney Channel’s Smart House, M3GAN fantastically blends horror and comedy and is gory, but keeps it clean enough for squeamish viewers.

After her parents die, Cady (Violet McGraw) is taken in by her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who is a roboticist at a toy company. Gemma creates M3GAN (Amie Donald & Jenna Davis) as a friend for Cady but when M3GAN becomes too advanced.

McGraw (The Haunting of Hill House) is explosive and Williams is fantastic, but it’s the women behind M3GAN that shine. Donald embodies while Davis provides vocals, and they teeter well between sweet and creepy.

The script creates a conversation about peoples’ need to rely on technology and proves it’s more than just a mindless horror.

Final say: A thrill, but keep her on the shelf. ★★★★☆