After waiting ages for this sequel to stream I found 2025’s MEGAN 2.0 to be a major let down. What happened? Co-writer/Director Gerard Johnstone happened. He took the character created by Akela Cooper and James Wan and lost his way. Johnstone directed the first in the M3GAN franchise and did so quite ably. However, being given a chance to write this one, he basically “pooped the bed.”
The MEGAN 2.0 Story
A defense contractor re-imagines M3GAN as a kill-bot named Amelia. Gemma resurrects the original M3GAN to take down the deadly imitator. Amazingly, two years after the “death” of M3GAN, the AI has turned over a new leaf.
Apparently.
The Cast
Allison Williams is Gemma.
Violet McGraw is Cady.
Amie Donald and Jenna Davis reprise their roles as the body and voice of M3GAN respectively.
Brian Jordan Alvarez is Cole.
Jen Van Epps is Tess.
Ivanna Sakhno is Amelia.
Aristotle Athari is Christian. (Pronounced Christ-i-an.)
Jemaine Clement is Alton Appleton.
Timm Sharp is Agent Sattler.
Let’s Talk MEGAN 2.0
This iteration of the MEGAN world deviates wildly from the first film. That of an AI bot developed to be a babysitter for a young girl. M3GAN was surprisingly delightful. The juxtaposition of caring “best mate” for Cady to cold blooded killer was brilliant. I love that version.
Sadly, the introduction of a defense contractor’s killer robot does not work so well. *Despite the fact that Sakhno is coldly, hauntingly, beautiful as Amelia, this plot device was annoying.* Resurrecting the original M3GAN to help stop the kill bot should have worked better than it did. The rendering of the babysitter’s face lacked cohesion. She looked more AI than the first film’s depiction of the robot turned psychopathic murderer.
Gemma is More Annoying
Auntie Gemma is even more anally retentive that in the first film. This makes her more annoying than necessary. If the robot carer can learn, why can’t Gemma? Her reluctance at every single move to get rid of Amelia via MEGAN 2.0 is frustrating. Fair enough that she had to kill the first MEGAN. However, the very idea of weaponizing AI bot should have swung the balance.
In this sequel, Gemma has turned into a “know-it-all” irritant, screeching about controlling AI. One begins to wonder how Cady can still like her guardian.
What Does Work
The wire work, the stunts and the fight scenes look good. The actors give this one their all. Sakhno is ruddy terrifying as the kill bot Amelia, yet manages to show vulnerability at certain points in the film. McGraw shows an enormous range as Cady this time around. Alvarez as Cole is funny, just not gut bustingly so. Williams manages to make Gemma so annoying that one must applaud her effort.
Kudos to the Donald/Davis double team as M3GAN. Once again the duo manage to bring this AI bot to life admirably.
What Does Not Work
The plot is good enough but the humour feels forced. Perhaps it would have helped to have signs posted: Laugh Here. In the first film, there was plenty of horrified laughter. MEGAN 2.0 did not even elicit a chuckle.
Not one.
The Verdict
MEGAN 2.0 earns a 3 star rating. Part of the problem is deviating too far from the original characters. In the first film, for example, one felt sympathy for Gemma’s character. In this sequel, we felt for Cady and to a lesser degree the first MEGAN. Heck, I even felt sorry for Amelia being used as a tool for the government. The film is streaming on Peacock TV right now.
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