‘M3GAN 2.0’ Off to a Lukewarm Start According to Rotten Tomatoes Score, Critics Say It Misses the Mark

M3GAN 2.0 has finally arrived, but it’s not exactly making a big splash with critics. The sci-fi horror sequel made its world premiere in New York on June 24, and it hits theaters in the U.S. on June 27. However, early reviews show that the film is getting a pretty mixed response so far.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, only 62% of the 48 critic reviews are positive. That score suggests the movie is off to a lukewarm start, especially compared to the buzz that surrounded the first film in 2022.

The original M3GAN became a viral hit thanks to its blend of creepy horror and dark humor, but some reviewers are saying that the sequel struggles to recapture that same magic.

Directed and co-written again by Gerard Johnstone, M3GAN 2.0 picks up two years after the events of the first movie. Gemma, played by Allison Williams, is now an author and a strong voice for AI regulation.

She’s keeping the original M3GAN contained in a tiny, safe robot body. But things take a turn when a military robot named AMELIA, built using stolen M3GAN tech, gains self-awareness and goes rogue. With the threat growing, Gemma’s niece Cady convinces her to rebuild M3GAN with upgrades to take on the new AI threat.

Returning cast members include Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, along with Amie Donald and Jenna Davis, bringing M3GAN to life once again. Ivanna Sakhno plays AMELIA, the film’s new antagonist. The movie also features Jemaine Clement, Brian Jordan Alvarez, and others.

Some critics appreciate the bold approach. One review says, “Imagine John Waters at the helm of a Terminator 2 remake and you have an inkling of just how wild a pivot M3GAN 2.0 is from its predecessor.” Another calls it “good, silly fun,” though they admit it doesn’t evolve as naturally as the sequels in the Terminator or Aliens franchises.

Attempts to advance its franchise the way Aliens and Terminator 2 did theirs. It’s not as natural an evolution as James Cameron’s sequels, but it’s still good, silly fun.

Fred Topel

Imagine John Waters at the helm of a Terminator 2 remake and you have an inkling of just how wild a pivot M3GAN 2.0 is from its predecessor.

Justin Clark

a special commendation for getting rounds of laughter out of a Kate Bush song and the return of MS Office ’97’s virtual assistant Clippy.

Laura Clifford

A genre swap might be just what this franchise needed given the character. 2.0 fully commits with great action and humor, despite the clunkiness of the plot.

Lee McCoy

As with several sequels, there is something more calculated, more mechanical in [M3GAN 2..0], which has some good moments…but which…leaves a bit of a mess. [Full review in Spanish]

Diego Batlle

But not all the feedback is positive. One critic was clearly not impressed, saying, “Oh no. The sequel to M3GAN is absolutely T3RRIBL3. It’s as if nobody involved with that 2023 cybershocker, Gerard Johnstone returns to directing duties – has any idea what made it such a hilarious blast.” Others say the sequel loses much of its horror edge, with the story becoming predictable and lacking the strange charm that made the first movie stand out.

Oh no. The sequel to M3GAN is absolutely T3RRIBL3. It’s as if nobody involved with that 2023 cybershocker – Gerard Johnstone returns to directing duties – has any idea what made it such a hilarious blast.

Donald Clarke

The lack of horror in this sequel works against it, as the story becomes predictable, redundant, and convoluted, and it also makes the doll lose some of its charm…[Full review in Spanish]

Laia Cabuli

A sequel that is a horrendous mishmash of ideas and influence, M3GAN 2.0 is occasionally outrageous, but mostly it’s derivative, bewildering, and bland.

Kristy Puchko

Horror gets the heave ho in bloated action romp with a familiar ring.

Christian Toto

M3GAN 2.0 works when M3GAN is front and center but, as it stands now, there’s just not enough of her. The central conflict is smothered by a haphazard ‘80s techno plot that’s too muddled to be interesting.

Kristen Lopez

Despite the split opinions, there are still some fun surprises in the film.

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