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Movie Review: M3GAN 2.0
Movie Review: M3GAN 2.0

Geek Girl Authority

time20 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Geek Girl Authority

Movie Review: M3GAN 2.0

Dolls are creepy. We all know this. It's deeply ingrained in our most misunderstood psychology. You know, Freud, 'uncanny valley,' those old chestnuts. Every generation has its traumatic doll. Mine was Chucky. I saw that trailer far, far, far too young. However, M3GAN burst on the scene in 2022 and became all the rage. Everyone wanted that cosplay. Well, M3GAN 2.0 hits theaters this week, and we must ask, is M3GAN the heir to Chucky's quirky crown? Or is this Betsy getting a little wetsy? M3GAN 2.0 M3GAN 2.0 jumps back into the story a few years after the first film. Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) are settling back into the swing of things. They're finally comfy. It doesn't take long, though, before Gemma is pulled back into her old life when 'Amelia'– an AI entity that closely resembles Gemma's work– sets off on her own mission of terror. Can the humans save the day? Or will M3GAN need to do the heavy lifting? Jen Van Epps, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Aristotle Athari, Ivanna Sakhno and Jemaine Clement costar in the film. Gerard Johnstone directs M3GAN 2.0 from his own script. Full disclosure, I had a decidedly … let's call it a complex relationship with the first M3GAN . This is a franchise that knows exactly what it is, for better or for worse. RELATED: Movie Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina The first film can perhaps best be called a horror movie. Well, it wants to be a horror movie. M3GAN is PG-13 horror. This is the Diet Coke of horror. You know, 'Great taste, less filling.' Stepping Away From Horror M3GAN 2.0 makes an interesting decision to step far away from its horror roots. Honestly, this is a smart call. This film is PG-13, too, and it's easy to see where they're cutting for content. Instead of delving into its horror roots, M3GAN 2.0 feels much more like a comedy with some breezy sci-fi elements. There's some light discussion of AI as well as the future of technology, but truthfully, any deep narrative inroads are immediately dulled by the surprising amount of slapstick. RELATED: Movie Review: The Phoenician Scheme In all honesty, I can't recommend M3GAN 2.0 if you're looking for a horror film. This isn't one. Rather, I had a lot more fun watching this as a 'bad' movie. Remember, yours truly is the resident 'drive-in,' 'schlocky' fangirl. I am someone who adores unintentional hilarity with every fiber of my being. Is It All Intentional? It was hard to truly put a finger on what M3GAN 2.0 wants to do. There are moments of wackiness that gave me so much joy, I had to sit back and wonder if it was intentional. There's dialogue that sits strangely on the ear, plenty of winks to the camera and a heavy reliance on slapstick comedy. There were some big 'belly laughs' throughout the theater. Overall, I do think the hilarity is intentional. This is a movie that is smart enough to understand what it is. It's a PG-13 comedy. Do with that what you will. RELATED: Movie Review: Materialists As it relates to the performances, Jemaine Clement steals every scene he's in. His over-the-top performance is a riot, and he's one of the few performers who seems to understand what movie he's actually in. It's just a shame that he's not in it more. His part is deceptively small. Enough said. You know, spoilers. Doesn't Go Far Enough In the grand scheme of things, M3GAN 2.0 , for me at least, is guilty of the same crime as the first film. It doesn't go far enough. This isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the movie. I had a heck of a lot of fun. That said, it's a superficial, easy fun. I never found myself really shocked, and I do wish they would finally just take off M3GAN 's training wheels. While this sequel is an entertaining sit, I can't say it's one you'll remember in two weeks. M3GAN 2.0 opens in theaters around the country on June 27, 2025. 28 YEARS LATER Spoiler Review

Sci-fi horror thriller hailed 'instant cult classic' free to stream
Sci-fi horror thriller hailed 'instant cult classic' free to stream

Metro

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Metro

Sci-fi horror thriller hailed 'instant cult classic' free to stream

The 2023 sci-fi horror film M3GAN is streaming now for free on Channel 4, mere hours before its sequel lands in UK cinemas. Released by horror giants Blumhouse, M3GAN told the story of a pint-sized robot on the rampage. Loaded with experimental AI programming, M3GAN targets her creator, roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams), after developing self-awareness. Fearing Gemma is about to come between her and bestie Cady (Violet), M3GAN takes violent action to ensure that they'll stay friends to the end. The film became an instant hit with fans, with many praising its combination of high camp and unsettling scares. With the film's sequel imminent, M3GAN is now available to watch for free on Channel 4's streaming service. Garnering a 93% 'fresh' score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, M3GAN was well-liked by critics and viewers alike. own James Mottram described the film as 'surprisingly funny and offbeat' – while likening its diminutive killer to horror icon Chucky. Elsewhere, Filmhounds called it 'clap-inducing ridiculousness,' while CBC News said it was 'chaotic, dumb – and nearly perfect.' The positive opinion was largely backed up by its audience, who contributed to a 78% score on the website. 'This sci-fi horror is an instant cult classic and I do hope they make a sequel,' wrote one unnamed (and presumably now very happy) user. 'A smooth mix of sci-fi horror and comedy making an amazing movie with eerie themes and bloody comedy,' said Lincoln D. 'Superb satirical dystopian comedy thriller-horror, with lots of wit, smart dialogue and laugh-out-loud humour,' agreed Murray C. With the film's sequel on release this weekend, fans can find the original film on 4oD. Gore fans beware, though – it appears to be the original PG-13 rated cut, rather than the unrated version, which includes some extra shots of gore and some added swearing. Worry not, though, both versions contain the now-iconic dance routine. Director Gerard Johnstone returns along with M3GAN, Gemma and Cady for the film's sequel, titled M3GAN 2.0. Seemingly taking inspiration from Terminator 2: Judgement Day in its role reversal, the film sees a reformed M3GAN join forces with Gemma as they battle another rogue robot. When military bot Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno) turns on her own creators, Gemma is left with no choice but to upgrade M3GAN in the hope of turning the tables. But can M3GAN be trusted? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Speaking on his influences for the film's sequel, director Gerard told Metro: 'For me, it's an extension of the character.' More Trending He continued: 'When I was a kid, the Evil Dead movies were a huge influence on me, and I was freaked out by 1, rocked by 2 – but also conscious that it had a sense of humor – and then 3 was just this flat-out adventure with demons in it. 'To me, that was just such a great reminder that you don't have to be bound by limitations, as long as you have a great character and you're true to the origins of your tale. I think that's what is happening with M3GAN 2.0, really. 'We've taken the villain from the first movie and put her center stage. By virtue of doing that, it's not going to be quite as creepy as the first movie, but it's a different experience, and one that I still think is a hell of a lot of fun.' M3GAN 2.0 is out in UK cinemas from June 27. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Chilling' film about shocking true crime quietly added to free streaming service MORE: Amazon Prime adds 'wildly entertaining' and action-packed crime thriller MORE: Celebs Go Dating star Eden Blackman dies aged 57 after 'long illness'

North Carolina woman sues former employer over Chucky doll prank she claims gave her PTSD
North Carolina woman sues former employer over Chucky doll prank she claims gave her PTSD

Fox News

time21-06-2025

  • Fox News

North Carolina woman sues former employer over Chucky doll prank she claims gave her PTSD

A former bank employee has filed a lawsuit against Truist Bank alleging discrimination and retaliation after she said a prank involving the doll Chucky exacerbated her anxiety disorder, according to several reports. Debra Jones claims in the lawsuit that despite knowing she had a fear of dolls, her manager placed a Chucky doll, "the doll that kills people," on her chair in her office, the New York Post reported. Jones claimed in the lawsuit that after the incident she was diagnosed with PTSD, saying she had shared her fear of dolls with her manager at a company cookout and that it affected her disabilities, which include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and the autoimmune disorder vitiligo, WRAL-TV reported. Jones claimed she was treated differently when she returned to work last year following two months of medical leave, accusing the bank of retaliating against her for needing to leave at 3 p.m. to treat her autoimmune disorder. After Jones returned to a new office and new manager she was "subjected to discrimination and retaliation based on her being a qualified individual with disabilities," according to the complaint. Her supervisors claimed that her coworkers "also needed time off," the lawsuit said, according to the station. Jones was let go in March after a manager told her she couldn't keep using her disabilities as an excuse, the lawsuit claimed, People magazine reported. Chucky comes from the 1988 horror movie "Child's Play," in which a dead serial killer inhabits a boy's doll and kills people. The lawsuit, filed in North Carolina in May, claims the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and Jones is seeking compensatory damages. Fox News Digital has reached out to Truist Bank for comment.

Woman with doll phobia sues boss after prank allegedly left her with PTSD
Woman with doll phobia sues boss after prank allegedly left her with PTSD

Global News

time19-06-2025

  • Global News

Woman with doll phobia sues boss after prank allegedly left her with PTSD

A former Truist Bank employee has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming her manager thought it was Child's Play to prank her by placing a Chucky doll on her chair during training. Debra Jones alleges the prank caused her to suffer a severe panic attack and claims she needed weeks of medical leave after the stunt featuring the Chucky doll, known from the Child's Play horror movie franchise. Jones accused the manager, identified as Matthew Korr, of deliberately traumatizing her and alleged she was discriminated against because of her medical conditions, which include 'major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and autoimmune disorder vitiligo,' according to court documents obtained by People. She said her employer knew she had those medical conditions and that the incident took place in June 2024, during her last week of new hire training. Story continues below advertisement Jones said she told her manager that she had a crippling fear of dolls so he threw her into full panic mode when he placed 'the doll that kills people, in Plaintiff's office chair.' According to the lawsuit filed in Nash County, Jones said her manager's actions interfered with her training and worsened her medical condition. She added that the manager laughed when he saw her reaction to seeing the doll on her chair. Jones was treated by a medical provider on the same day as the prank and placed on medical leave for eight weeks after receiving a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the court documents. 3:35 'It's just good, stupid fun:' 'Chucky' actor Jennifer Tilly talks about new TV series When Jones returned to work in August 2024, she said she was assigned a new manager and claimed that there were continuous problems with her, including an incident when the manager made a joke in front of her and other team members about her being 'always fraudulent vigilant' after Jones discovered a fraudulent cheque. Story continues below advertisement Jones said she found the joke to be offensive and argued in the complaint that she was treated differently from other team members when she made mistakes and alleged that the treatment was based on her disabilities. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The complaint noted another incident in January 2025 when another Truist manager allegedly told Jones that her accommodation of leaving work at 3 p.m. three times a week for treatment of her autoimmune disorder was affecting other employees who needed time off. The manager allegedly told Jones that the job might not be a good fit for her and that she can't keep using her 'emotional and anxiety problems as an excuse.' The complaint alleges that the manager hinted that Jones would be fired if she didn't improve. Jones alleged that she experienced panic attacks after the meeting with the manager and was taken out of work for treatment of her disabilities. In March, Jones claims that her employer notified her to pick up her personal belongings at the office. Jones is suing Truist Bank for emotional distress and discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. She is seeking compensation for lost wages, emotional pain and mental anguish for an unspecified amount. 1:47 'Child's Play' trailer A similar situation took place in the U.K. in May when an NHS worker was awarded close to 30,000 pounds (C$55,000) after being compared to Star Wars bad guy Darth Vader at work by a former colleague. Story continues below advertisement Lorna Rooke said that in 2021, a co-worker took a Star Wars-themed Myers-Briggs personality test on her behalf that likens participants to one of the franchise's characters. Rooke, a blood donation bank employee, was given Darth Vader — the Sith lord widely viewed as one of the most powerful, hated villains of the franchise — as her personality doppelganger, but said she was not present when her colleague, Amanda Harber, took the quiz for her, saying she had left the room to answer a personal phone call. Harber then disseminated the results among their colleagues. An employment tribunal in Croydon, London, ruled that the incident was a 'detriment' because it harmed Rooke and impacted her negatively, the BBC reported. As a result of the quiz, Rooke was made to feel widely disliked, which contributed to her low mood and led her to feel anxious in the workplace, the tribunal found. She won the detriment case and was compensated 28,989.62 pounds, which equates to C$53,288.76. — With files from Global News' Rachel Goodman

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