For years the idea of artificial intelligence has led to an array of stories in pop culture. While this idea has become a hot topic in the world today, the concept of ghosts in the machine has been depicted in a variety of tales in several mediums. Usually, this idea is depicted in Sci-fi stories, and it is hard to imagine this concept being depicted in other genres. Yet that is precisely what happened earlier this year in a horror film of all things simply called M3GAN.

Directed by Gerard Johnstone, the movie tells the story of Gemma (Allison Williams) who creates a synthetic doll called M3GAN (Amie Donald/Jenna Davis) to help her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) in her grief. However, M3GAN takes her commands to the extreme leading to deadly circumstances for Gemma and Cady. Along with being directed by Johnstone, the film is also produced by none other than James Wan and his production company Atomic Monsters. The filmmakers stated that the movie would be a dark comedy and deal with aspects like a reliance on social media. M3GAN certainly made an impression as it became a hit at the box office and was praised by critics and moviegoers alike. Naturally this got me curious and while it took some time, I finally had a chance to watch this horror film. After seeing M3GAN, I can say that while the movie did leave me fearful, I was still impressed with the horror film.

Despite its artificial intelligence concept, the plot of M3GAN was very much a killer doll story. This idea is nothing new to the horror genre and this point did lead to some apprehension for me to see the movie. However, after watching the movie, I can say that this story had more to offer than I expected. The plot uses the rogue AI concept seen in other stories and followed it to the letter. However, what set this story apart from others was its grounded themes like subverting reality and dealing with grief. These elements were a surprise as it gave this horror film a vitality that I never expected. As the plot played out, the tension surrounding the story went as expected and it led to the conclusion that,while typical, it was entertaining in its grim execution.

When it came to its cast, M3GAN featured a group that was sensible for a horror film. Allison Williams provided a fair performance as Gemma. While Gemma was not the most engaging of protagonists, she did fit the movie well enough. As for Cady, the young character was solid in her development, and performance from Violet McGraw was adequate. The film also featured a supporting cast that felt appropriate for a horror film; which essentially meant that the characters were simplistic in execution. Last and certainly not least was the new killer doll on the block: M3GAN. From her endearing presence to the solid performances from both Amie Donald and Jenna Davis, M3GAN stole the show and I think she can easily find a place among the most memorable of movie monsters.

With a concept like this one, it was interesting to see just how M3GAN would handle its horror; and the result was surprising to say the least. While the filmmakers declared the film a horror comedy, the film was certainly more horrific than it was humorous. When it came to horror, the film was impressive in its scary tactics. While it featured a few jump scares, the movie was able create a tense atmosphere that led to a chilling experience. The movie also featured a little gore that relished in its simplicity, but it was certainly effective in its execution. A benefactor in the film’s horror was the visuals. The bleak cinematography was perfect in capturing the tone, but truly the strongest factor in this aspect was the effects for M3GAN herself. The practical effects for the doll were fantastic as they brought a sense of realism to this surreal character. As for the music, the score by Anthony Willis was passable. While it may not have been the most memorable soundtrack that I have heard this year, the score was appropriate in capturing the thematic nature behind this horror film.

M3GAN is a simplistic horror film, but an effective one to be sure. While some elements were standard in their direction, the movie’s execution made all the difference in world. Between the story’s themes and its title character, the film had more than enough merits to give it some impressive factors. Along with these elements was, of course, the horror itself which sense of practicality allowed this thriller to be a chilling experience. While it may not have redefined the concept of AI or Killer Dolls in film, M3GAN still brought something special; and it certainly has potential to become a major player in the realm of horror.