This year’s January horror blockbuster isn’t child’s play. Dollhouse? No, it’s from Blumhouse! That’s right, this week we’re welcoming M3GAN into The Hollywood franchise family. Directed by Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) and written by Akela Cooper (Malignant), M3GAN stars Allison Williams as a genius toy inventor who tests out a life-size doll with artificial intelligence on her depressed niece (Violet McGraw). Hijinks ensue! We discuss the film’s surprisingly brilliant marketing campaign, and we may or may not overanalyze the emotional intelligence of this seemingly disposable schlock. We had fun, basically.
Intro Music: “Freddo Espresso (feat. Pixie Dust)” by No Spirit, Sátyr & Phlocalyst
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Synopsis for M3GAN:
SHE’S MORE THAN A TOY. SHE’S FAMILY. A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll’s programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results. [Source: Letterboxd]