“M3GAN” is a new sci-fi horror film that follow a roboticist at a toy company who creates an artificially intelligent doll.
So let’s dive into some trivia and facts about the film.
- M3GAN is a 2022 American science fiction horror film
- The title is stylized as MΞGAN
- The film is directed by Gerard Johnstone
- From a screenplay by Akela Cooper
- And a story by Cooper and James Wan
- The plot of M3GAN follows Gemma (Allison Williams), a roboticist at a toy company who creates an artificially intelligent doll named M3GAN
- When M3GAN becomes attached to Gemma’s orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw), she develops self-awareness and becomes hostile to anyone who comes between her and Cady
- M3GAN’s appearance is a combination of a physical performance by Amie Donald, practical makeup, and digital visual effects
- Jenna Davis voices the character
- M3GAN had its world premiere in Los Angeles on December 7, 2022
- It was theatrically released in the United States on January 6, 2023, by Universal Pictures
- The film received largely positive reviews from critics
- They praised its campy blend of horror and humor
- As well as its satirical elements and cast performances
- In July 2018, The Hollywood Reporter announced that production was underway for a “techno horror-thriller” titled M3GAN to be produced by James Wan and Jason Blum
- Gerard Johnstone was confirmed to direct while Akela Cooper wrote the screenplay and story, with Wan
- The idea of the film began with Wan’s Atomic Monster Productions was brainstorming story ideas and chose one about a killer doll
- Although Wan’s 2014 film Annabelle is about a killer doll, he said, “Pretty much the concept is about embracing technology too much and relying too much on it. And what happens with technology runs amok. It’s a commentary on the world we live in and it feels relevant”
- Blum stated that the film would have black comedy elements which is one reason Johnstone was chose to direct, saying “We needed someone who can do the thrills and set pieces, but who also has a cheeky approach”
- Shooting was scheduled to begin in late 2018
- On a budget of $12 million, principal photography began in early July 2021 taking place in Los Angeles, California, and Auckland, New Zealand
- The suburbs of Auckland were utilized to lend the film a “Denver, Colorado, type feel”
- Filming was completed the following month, by mid-August right before a COVID-19 lockdown occurred in New Zealand
- The film underwent reshoots in post-production in order to secure a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association, after the original cut was deemed too violent
- Amie Donald received movement coaching from Jed Brophy and Luke Hawker
- Adrien Morot and Kathy Tse of Morot FX Studio provided special makeup effects for M3GAN
- In post-production, Donald’s physical performance as M3GAN was enhanced by digital visual effects by the New Zealand-based effects studio Wētā FX
- Allowing for such features as artificially oversized eyes and smooth, doll-like skin
- Speaking about the design of M3GAN, Johnstone stated that he “looked to screen icons from the ’50s like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Kim Novak for inspiration
- But I wanted some ’70s naturalism to counteract her synthetic nature, so the hair is one hundred percent Peggy Lipton”
- In the United States and Canada, M3GAN is projected to gross $17-20 million from 3,509 theaters in its opening weekend
- The film earned $2.75 million in Thursday night previews
- On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94%
- Based on 153 reviews
- With an average rating of 7.2/10
- The website’s critical consensus reads, “Unapologetically silly and all the more entertaining for it, M3GAN is the rare horror-comedy that delivers chuckles as effortlessly as chills”
- On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100
- Based on 38 critics
- Indicating “generally favorable reviews”
- Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of “B” on an A+ to F scale
