Review: Campy Killer Doll 'M3GAN,' with Allison Williams, is Wildly Entertaining

Juxtaposing the innocence of toys with murder, the horror genre offers killer dolls, including Chucky from the "Child's Play" franchise (created by gay filmmaker Don Mancini) and "Annabelle." In science-fiction, some robots are adorable and spunky, like droids in the "Star Wars" franchise, while at the other end of the spectrum, we have murderous computers and robots: HAL in "2001" and "The Terminator."

In the endlessly amusing, enjoyable, and beguiling sci-fi horror film "M3GAN," a robotic doll becomes violently and murderously protective of a child.

Directed by Gerard Johnstone (his second film after horror film "Housebound") and written by Akela Cooper (who also wrote "Malignant" and "Hell Fest") from a story by Cooper and producer James Wan ("Saw," "Insidious," "The Conjuring"), "M3GAN" stars Allison Williams as Gemma, a roboticist working at a toy company.

Tasked to work on furry robotic toy pets, Gemma's real passion is developing M3GAN, an advanced robot doll that learns, listens, and adapts. When her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) comes to live with her after her parents die in a car accident, both Cady and Gemma struggle to adjust. Gemma gives M3GAN to Cady, who becomes extremely emotionally attached to the robotic doll. In turn, M3GAN becomes fiercely protective of Cady, with violent results.

With snarky humor, campy singing and dancing (yes, that hallway dance scene with flips is amazing), and clever assertiveness, I think it's safe to say M3GAN has earned her place in the pantheon of great horror movie villains. Dancer and actor Amie Donald portrays the body of M3GAN, while Jenna Davis provides her voice.

This is Allison Williams' third horror film (which she also executive produced), having starred in "Get Out" and "The Perfection." In an interview with "Vulture," Williams shared how she yearned for traditional leading roles. While she achieved success co-starring in series "Girls," she found her stride in horror films, which she says provide "complex" female characters. Williams gives a great performance as Gemma, who's torn between her ambitious career and caretaking Cady.

Violet McGraw handles the extremities of Cady's grief – sadness, unbridled rage, obsessive attachment, despondency – with aplomb.

With Akela Cooper penning the script, I anticipated a bonkers, unhinged horror film like "Malignant." Exuding a cheeky campiness and a gleeful, knowing wink to the audience, it's similarly fun, yet it diverges. "M3GAN" offers a surprisingly complex and shrewd commentary on societal reliance on technology, balancing motherhood and career, how trauma impacts childhood and emotional regulation, and processing grief.

Many horror films convey the creepiness of dolls. Similarly, it's a common theme for sci-fi to show humanity's fear of technology, particularly robots and androids. "M3GAN" alludes to robots in "The Terminator" (a robot chassis crawls), "Silent Running" (a dog named Duey, like one of the robots), and the series "Westworld" (a robot emerges from a milky white bath).

Similar to many sci-fi films, "M3GAN" raises questions and explores themes of autonomy, morality, and ethics in technology. It's loosely reminiscent of "Westworld," which offers a fascinating and complex reflection of the ramifications of systemic violence through the vengeful reactions of the android hosts. It also reminded me of "Pinocchio" and Steven Spielberg's "A.I.," respectively featuring a doll and android who yearn to be real.

"M3GAN" is a thrilling ride that's playful, campy, wildly entertaining, and yet thought-provoking. I had a blast watching it and can't wait to see it again.

"M3GAN" opens in theaters on Friday, January 6.