Returning to the director’s chair, Gerard Johnstone (Housebound 2014, Megan 2023) takes a bold, creative swing with M3GAN 2.0. Released on June 27, 2025, through Universal Pictures, the tone of the sequel has shifted from the original film’s Horror/Sci-Fi aesthetic of 2023’s M3GAN to more of an Action Thriller. It is a genre pivot that will not land the same for every viewer—enjoyment here hinges largely on what you are expecting from a sequel. While sequels often succeed by doubling down on what made their predecessor work, M3GAN 2.0 dares to evolve, raising the stakes and the scale. For those with an open mind, this shift mostly pays off.
Allison Williams (Get Out 2017, The Perfection 2018) returns as Gemma, alongside Violet McGraw (Live of Chuck 2024, Thunderbolts 2025) as Cady—both still reeling from the trauma of their first encounter with the AI doll gone rogue. Their performances ground a story that’s louder, faster, and more adrenaline-fueled than the original.
In M3GAN 2.0, Gerard Johnstone shows clear growth as a director, embracing a slicker, more kinetic style that leans heavily into Action Thriller territory. Where the original film thrived on tension and a slow-burn unease, the sequel opts for momentum, delivering tighter pacing, larger set pieces, and more dynamic camera work. It is a confident shift, and while most of the Horror elements take a back seat, Johnstone still threads in enough suspense and tonal dissonance to remind viewers where the franchise began.
M3GAN 2.0 walks a fine line between thrills and satire, and while the humor is a little less pronounced this time around, it still surfaces in the film’s sharpest moments—especially when M3GAN herself is allowed to steal the scene (i.e., who knew that M3GAN could sing?). Not every tonal shift lands perfectly, but the ambition is clear: this is a sequel that is not content to repeat itself, which is refreshing in a sea of IP where studios take no risks and regurgitate the same film every two years.
The film updates its take on AI anxieties to reflect the rapidly evolving technological landscape of 2025. Unlike the original’s focus on the uncanny and unpredictable nature of AI, the sequel dives deeper into questions of regulation, autonomy, and the ethical responsibilities surrounding artificial intelligence, painting a more complex picture of human-machine interaction. While the film employs some over-the-top plot devices to drive the story forward, subtle suggestions and details firmly place this narrative in a world just one or two steps removed from our own. This subtle grounding helps the audience stay invested, even when certain plot points verge on the absurd.
Meanwhile, the psychological scars carried by Gemma and Cady add moments of emotional depth to the story. However, their trauma is often explored only superficially, sometimes sacrificed to keep the action moving. Gemma’s character, in particular, comes across as somewhat one-dimensional, her overly idealistic behavior occasionally tipping into frustration rather than sympathy. As for M3GAN herself, her character evolves beyond a straightforward villain; she now occupies a murkier space between antihero and misunderstood creation. This shift brings nuance but occasionally tips into a more exaggerated, cartoonish portrayal, leaving audiences to grapple with their sympathies toward the iconic doll.
M3GAN 2.0 is not just a continuation—it is a recalibration. It trades the unease and Horror of the first film for spectacle and momentum, taking risks that many sequels would not dare. Whether those risks pay off will depend on your appetite for reinvention over repetition. But love it or not, one thing is clear: this franchise has no interest in playing it safe. And in an increasingly cautious cinematic landscape, that alone is worth showing up for. It is also a film that knows its silly and meant to be a fun time, something perfect for the start of summer. This is why Cryptic Rock gives M3GAN 2.0 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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