Finally, a killer doll that doesn’t look hideous. M3GAN would probably be the favorite psycho-doll of many horror fans after watching this.

I think it matters that movies that feature a deranged or possessed toy should look the part because that would help better sell the idea that the children in these movies love their toys so much (or the parents that get them in the first place). If you think about it, why would you buy an ugly-looking toy to give to your kid? Or, if you’re the kid, why would you be so attached to an unattractive-looking toy?

If I had a toy like that and unusual things started happening around me, the first thing I’d blame once we’ve ruled out all the logical reasons would be that toy.

Besides, movies like this would have to make us believe the attachment between the child and the toy from hell. I refuse to believe that any kid would be so enamored by anything ugly.

This is one of the several reasons why M3GAN worked so well for me–because it makes sense in what it’s trying to show and say.

M3GAN is about a Model 3 Generative Android (hence the name) who is slated to become the next big thing in the toy industry. Its creator, Gemma (Allison Williams) is on the verge of a career milestone but is currently facing her toughest project yet: being a guardian to newly orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).

As she struggles to fulfill her duties while keeping up with work, Gemma decides to test M3GAN by making her Cady’s friend and constant companion. Soon, the two become close friends. And it’s only a matter of time before we find out why and how M3GAN would turn into a psycho killer.

The story created and developed by Akela Cooper (Malignant) and James Wan (Aquaman, Malignant) isn’t exactly groundbreaking. You can even say it’s formulaic. But where it excels in is its ability to perfectly blend comedy, camp and horror–something not many horror movies are able to accomplish.

Cooper’s script presents a clear and non-complicated plot that touches on several themes that allowed the story to venture into silliness and camp without losing touch of its true nature.

M3GAN doesn’t take itself too seriously without becoming a laughingstock.

There are numerous laugh-out-loud moments here and yet the movie isn’t something to laugh at because it looks silly; it’s campy a lot of times, yes, but it’s not witless. Even during those funny scenes, there’s still that visceral sense of foreboding.

Another impressive quality of the movie is its ability to effortlessly transition from one emotion to the next. There’s this hilarious scene (slight spoiler alert!) where M3GAN is trying to comfort Cady after a depressing incident with soothing words–and then sang Titanium.

It was totally unexpected and funny everyone at the mini cinema laughed out loud. (Some of those involve the hilarious Ronnie Chieng as David).

There are other laughable scenes sprinkled throughout the film. But even so, it didn’t lose its creepy vibe. There’s just as much jump scares and moments where you’d involuntarily gasp.

I would have wanted a more adrenaline-packed climax. But when I think about how the movie is a metaphor of how parents rely on technology to look after their kids–and the dangers it pose and how far things can go awry–it makes sense that it went down the way it did.

2023 is off to a good start with M3GAN. It’s so fun I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes an instant cult classic.

M3GAN opens in Philippine cinemas today, January 8.

^{Photo and video credit: Universal Pictures}