M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

Edwin Tan

Edwin Tan

— 2 min read
M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

Score: 7 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: HBO Max

One-line verdict

A louder, cheesier sequel that smartly pivots from horror to action, and ends up being more fun than expected despite some messy plotting.

What worked

  • This is a genuinely fun movie, cheesy lines and all. It knows what it is and leans into it.
  • The shift from horror into action works surprisingly well. Instead of repeating the first film, it evolves the concept.
  • I didn’t expect it to top the first M3GAN, but it did. The energy is higher and the scope feels bigger.
  • The focus on female leads feels natural rather than forced. In today’s context, it’s believable and fits the story.
  • The plot twist works. I didn’t see it coming, especially since so much attention is placed on how dangerous Amelia is.

What broke

  • The plot gets messy in places, especially once things escalate.
  • Certain moments don’t fully make sense, like when M3GAN attacks Gemma to activate something, or how Amelia becomes sentient.
  • The explanation around Amelia’s death and the destruction implants is unclear. It either wasn’t explained properly, or got lost in the chaos.
  • The movie moves fast enough that these issues don’t ruin it, but they do stop it from hitting a higher tier.

What others are saying

  • Many viewers enjoy the shift toward action and the self-aware tone.
  • Comparisons to the first film are common, with some preferring the tighter horror approach of the original.
  • Overall reception leans positive, especially among those who accept the sequel’s tonal change.

The section below discusses plot details.

Why this worked for me

I went in expecting this to be weaker than the first movie. Instead, it felt more confident and more entertaining, even if it was sloppier.

In terms of how it lands emotionally, it reminded me of how I feel about the Terminator films. Terminator is top tier. M3GAN isn’t on that level, but it sits comfortably in the tier below. Not iconic, but solid and enjoyable.

I gave the first M3GAN a 7, and this lands in the same place for me. An 8 would be pushing it, given the messy logic, but a 7 feels fair. It’s fun, it’s bold, and it knows when to escalate rather than repeat itself.

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