M3GAN: artificial humor and horror

“M3GAN,” released on Jan. 6, had the potential to put a modern spin on Artificial Intelligence-centric horror. While many films in the past had been based on an archaic conception of what AI could be, “M3GAN” holds the advantage of production in a world where powerful AI is becoming a reality. However, even with these major headstarts and crutches, “M3GAN” fails to make any real argument and lacks scary moments.

With products like Chat-GPT and other AI models gaining popularity, many people have started to question the implications technologies like AI models can bring. While discussions regarding AI and its potential for academic dishonesty are becoming popular within academic circles, it has also been a longtime trope within the horror genre of film. Many of these stories are centered around anthropomorphic dolls, toys or other robotic forms that gain independence and start to terrorize the main characters.

“The ethical dilemmas regarding technology it proposes are never fully revisited and are often replaced with a cheap joke or jumpscare”

“M3GAN,” in her titular film, is an advanced doll created to interact with customers on a more personal level. While the film introduces some interesting ethical questions about the doll’s role in a family, specifically in how interactive technology interferes with and often supplants the role of a real parent in a child’s life, the ethical dilemmas regarding technology it proposes are never fully revisited and are often replaced with a cheap joke or jumpscare. This becomes a common trend throughout the film, both with surface-level changes in plot and with deeper ethical ideas.

An interesting concept is sometimes introduced, such as “M3GAN” going on violent killing sprees to protect her owner Katie, or the role of parents when technology is growing to support a child’s every need, but these concepts are either not taken far, or are abandoned completely. There are remarkably little scares or slasher moments for what is supposed to be a horror movie.

“M3GAN” also suffers from an unbalanced script. The writers clearly fail to decide when they want the film to be funny and when they want it to be scary or serious. Many of the most important scenes in the film have strangely-timed jokes, which often make little sense contextually.

While some horror movies thrive on a campy, or intentionally silly and tongue-in-cheek aspect, “M3GAN” doesn’t capitalize on these benefits; it seems indecisive and it’s trying too hard to be scary and funny, failing at both. The attempts at humor peppered throughout some of the most important scenes kill any built up tension or suspense. Most of the funniest moments in the film are completely unintentional — usually as a product of the poor script or line delivery.

“Most of the funniest moments in the film are completely unintentional”

“M3GAN” also suffers from severe pacing issues. There are major slumps in the film where there are little developments in either the plot or its main characters and stretches of two minutes where extremely important climaxes are abruptly reached and then abandoned. Most of the film ends up seeming like filler between these climaxes and it lacks any ability to keep the audience engaged.

Despite being centered around a very important and topical issue in modern society, “M3GAN” ultimately fails to provide meaningful and original commentary about AI and what it means for modern society. Even on its own premises, divorced from larger society and messaging, it fails to introduce anything truly scary or interesting at all. While unintentionally hilarious at times, most of the film is boring and relies on filler of little substance, earning two out of five stars.