Chucky and Annabelle better watch out, there’s a new doll in town and the internet already loves M3GAN.
Who and what is M3GAN?
M3GAN is an upcoming science fiction horror movie set to be released in January 2023. It follows Gemma, a roboticist at a toy company, who develops M3GAN using artificial intelligence. M3GAN’s purpose is to be a child’s companion and a parent’s ally.
However Gemma didn’t intend for M3GAN to become protective of her niece Katie – a ‘protectiveness’ which can only be described as deadly.
The movie plays on a fear that has been a hot topic over the last few years – that of the rise of AI and the subordination of humanity alongside it. The movie plays on dystopian tropes of “technology taking over” seen in various movies and TV shows such as I, Robot and Black Mirror.
Except in M3GAN, the life-like doll isn’t seeking world domination, she’s just a protective doll with murderous instincts.
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An Instant Sensation
Upon the trailer’s release, M3GAN instantly became an icon. Her dance moves sparked memes, and her demonic ‘run’ on all-fours threw viewers into hysterics.
As much as I enjoyed the dance scene, it feels out-of-place in the trailer, given that it contributes nothing to making M3GAN seem scary. If anything, it provides comedic relief, a reflection shared by many online.
Just like the dance scene, the scene featuring M3GAN running on all-fours is hilarious. It’s what made her an instant icon. In the context of a movie, this is hilarious and not scary at all. Although in reality I would be freaked out if someone was running after me on all-fours – I’d definitely be screaming.
The Dolls Are Fighting
My favourite part of the internet’s reaction to the M3GAN trailer was the feud that sparked between Chucky and M3GAN on Twitter. Chucky is undeniably one of the most iconic evil dolls ever. Even if you haven’t seen any of the movies, you definitely know who he is.
With all the noise that M3GAN has been making online, it’s unsurprising that the arrival of a new murderous ‘toy’ rattled the evil doll community.
So far, the internet is loving M3GAN; even if she’s simply just a meme for now. I suppose any press is good press…
Once the movie is out perhaps we’ll begin to fear M3GAN and not crack anymore jokes. Or she’ll beat Chucky as the doll with the best dance moves.
We’ll have to wait patiently until January to find out.
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