Line #17 Film/M3gan


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6	[[caption-width-right:350:''"Don't worry Cady. I won't let anything harm you. Ever again."'']]
7
8	->''"Ever since I was little, I dreamed of this perfect toy and that would protect a kid from ever feeling lonely or sad. This is [=M3GAN=]."''
9	-->-- '''Gemma'''
10
11	''[=M3GAN=]'' is a [[ShortRunInPeru 2022]] / 2023 SciFiHorror film directed by Gerard Johnstone (''Film/{{Housebound}}''), produced by [[Creator/BlumhouseProductions Jason Blum]] and Creator/JamesWan, and written by Creator/AkelaCooper. It stars Creator/AllisonWilliams, Violet [=McGraw=], and Creator/RonnyChieng, while Amie Donald performs the titular doll, who is voiced by Jenna Davis.
12
13	The film follows a roboticist, Gemma (Williams), who gains custody of her orphaned niece, Cady (Violet [=McGraw=]). Overwhelmed with the challenge of raising a traumatized child, the roboticist decides to bring in the aid of [=M3GAN=] (short for Model Three Generative Android), a doll-like robot designed to be a child's greatest companion and protector. Naturally, things go wrong.
14
15	The film released in a few countries in late December 2022 and in the USA on January 6, 2023. Not to be confused with the short film ''Film/{{Megan}}''.
16
17	A sequel, titled ''[=M3GAN=] 2.0'', is planned for release on June 27, 2025, with Williams and [=McGraw=] set to reprise their roles. Creator/IvannaSakhno will join the cast.
18
19	'''Previews:''' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRb4U99OU80 Trailer]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoDHM_A1axc Trailer 2]]
20	----
21	!!''[=M3GAN=]'' contains examples of:
22	* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: The setting is basically the same as real life, but the date on a laboratory camera shows the year as 2025.
23	* AdultsAreUseless:
24	** Gemma. For most of the movie, she isn't very involved with being a parent to Cady, is slow to realize there's trouble and [[spoiler:comes close to losing her life and Cady's.]]
25	** Brandon's mother doesn't seem to realize (or is in denial) that her son is displaying troubling behavior and doesn't call him out when he uses bad language in front of her and Gemma. He also seems to be a few years older than the group of children Cady is with, which the mom justifies as "a growth spurt" when Gemma questions his age. She was also talking about how behavioral issues are linked to high I.Q. when Cady calls out for help.
26	** To a lesser extent, the alternative school's teacher is certainly kind and well-meaning, but seems oblivious to Brandon's bullying. When one boy fearfully whispers to her that he doesn't want to be paired with Brandon, the teacher's response is to simply pair Brandon with the new girl rather than look into his behavior.
27	* AdvertisingByAssociation: The trailer specifically brings attention to Creator/JamesWan's involvement, mentioning ''Film/{{Annabelle}}'', another [[PerversePuppet killer doll]] movie he has produced.
28	* AnAesop:
29	** Don't use technology as a substitute for proper parenting.
30	** Learn to deal with emotional pain rather than just avoiding it.
31	* AICronym: It's specified that [=M3GAN=] means "Model Three Generative Android", pronounced like "Megan".
32	* AIIsACrapshoot: [=M3GAN=] is designed as a learning machine, able to adapt so as to become a better companion to the child she's paired with. Unfortunately, once she learns about death, she quickly works that into her model of protecting Cady.
33	* AntagonistTitle: [=M3GAN=] is the titular robot doll that becomes murderous in her attempts to protect her owner.
34	* ArcWords: "You see this pen?"
35	* AssholeVictim: Pretty much ''everyone'' [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] kills throughout the movie qualifies to some degree, but special mentions go to Brandon, a cruel bully who attacked Cady and [=M3GAN=], and Celia, Gemma's nasty and inconsiderate neighbor who doesn't appear at all concerned about her dog ''injuring a child''.]]
36	* BeleagueredAssistant: Kurt to David, who constantly demeans him and throws his things around.
37	* BigSisterInstinct: Not biologically, but [=M3GAN=] is built to be a loving and protective sister figure to Cady. Gemma even remarks that [=M3GAN=] is starting to feel like family herself. [[spoiler: But with her prime directive of "protect Cady from physical and emotional harm", she devolves into a KnightTemplarBigSister when she kills a negligent neighbor's dog, a bully, and the neighbor herself.]]
38	* BlackComedyBurst: At the start of the climax, [[spoiler: [=M3GAN=] and Gemma, both desperate to keep Cady from seeing the confrontation, shout out "We're not fighting!" when Cady is about to enter the room, curious over the noise]].
39	* BloodierAndGorier: The unrated version of the film goes more into the brutality of [=M3Gan=]'s kills. Some examples include Celia's face corroding due to the pesticide, and Kurt getting his throat slit by the android rather than her forcing the blade into his hand.
40	* BothSidesHaveAPoint: [[spoiler: Both [=M3GAN=] and Gemma make some very excellent points about the other's failures during the climax, and even acknowledge them.]]
41	* BullyingADragon: An older boy named Brandon bullies Cady and later [=M3GAN=]. He finds out the hard way why that's a bad idea when the latter fights back.
42	* CallingParentsByTheirName: Brandon to his mother.
43	* TheCavalryArrivesLate: [[spoiler:After the final showdown, the police and an ambulance arrives at Gemma's home. They're accompanied by Tess and Cole, presumably having rescued them from the burning room [=M3GAN=] trapped them in.]]
44	* CessationOfExistence: Discussed. After learning about death, [=M3GAN=] appears to regard it this way. When Cady asks if [[spoiler:Brandon]] is really in a better place like Gemma says, [=M3GAN=]'s answer is "No. He's nowhere." But she does acknowledge the possibility of an afterlife by saying that if Heaven exists, he wouldn't be there.
45	* CharacterDevelopment: A blink-and-you'll-miss-it example, Gemma starts out being extremely orderly and uptight, refusing to let Cady put a glass on a wooden table without a coaster. Towards the end of the film while she's having a heart-to-heart with Cady and finally embracing caring for her niece, she notably doesn't notice or care when Cady does it again. [[spoiler:And [=M3GAN=] is notably quiet in that moment as well, either out of not wanting to interrupt or having slipped down the morality slide and no longer caring.]]
46	* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler:Gemma's college robot project, Bruce, is introduced to Cady early on, and Cady uses Bruce to fight [=M3GAN=] in the climax.]]
47	* ChekhovsLecture: Early on, Gemma gives Cady a tour of Bruce, a bipedal robot she designed in college, explaining where the CPU in his head is in particular. This lets Cady know where to [[spoiler:drive a screwdriver in [=M3GAN's=] face after it gets exposed.]]
48	* TheCollector: Gemma has several vintage toys in their original packaging. She very reluctantly opens one to let Cady play with it.
49	* ComputerVoice: While she generally speaks in a naturalistic tone, [=M3GAN=] slips into this from time to time.
50	* ContagiousAI: [[spoiler:Hinted as to [=M3GAN=]'s possible status]].
51	* CoolCar: [[spoiler:After escaping Funki's headquarters, [=M3GAN=] drives off in a sweet [=McLaren=] 675LT coupe.]]
52	* CoolCodeOfSource: The Linux kernel's groups.c is shown in Kurt's file-stealing, plus rapidly scrolling debug logs (lampshaded) while [=M3GAN=] is wired up in the lab near the end.
53	* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: If Gemma wasn't so prideful about her sister having chosen her for guardianship and admitted to being MaternallyChallenged, she could have had Cady stay with her paternal grandparents in Florida.
54	* TheCoverChangesTheMeaning: [=M3GAN=] singing [[Music/DavidGuetta "Titanium"]] changes a SelfEmpowermentAnthem into an outright bragging VillainSong.
55	* CranialProcessingUnit: Gemma explains how Bruce, a robot she designed in college, has its [=CPU=] in the center of his "face" behind a plate. [=M3GAN=] has the same thing.
56	* CreateYourOwnVillain: The whole reason why [=M3GAN=] ends up the way she is, is because Gemma is too lazy to give her something of a moral compass. She just tells [=M3GAN=] to care for and protect Cady and figure it out herself.
57	* CrucifiedHeroShot: Inverted. [=M3GAN=], the villain, is often suspended from wires in a crucifixion pose when Funki technicians are working on her.
58	* CruelAndUnusualDeath: [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] kills Celia]] by blasting her in the face with a stream of high-pressure pesticide. While the effects are not shown in the theatrical version, it's implied that much of her face was chemically burned off. (The unrated version shows this.)
59	* DeathByIrony: Cady's parents are killed when their car collides with a snow truck just after the mom suggests they wait for a snow truck to clear the road and the dad voices his skepticism of the chances of that happening.
60	* DetachableDoorknob: While M3gan is chasing Gemma through her house, Cady tries to look outside her room, only for M3gan to shut it, and pull out the doorknob so she can't get out to see her [[spoiler:trying to kill Gemma]].
61	* DisastrousDemonstration:
62	** Gemma tries to demonstrate and justify [=M3GAN=] to her boss, David. Because Cole forgot to include a vital component, she glitches when attempting to speak until her head overheats and explodes.
63	** {{Averted\|Trope}} during the demonstration with the board members. During it, [[spoiler: Cady breaks down and begins talking about how much she misses her recently deceased parents and how she's afraid she's going to eventually forget about them. On top of making the board members feel awkward, it initially seems that Cady's emotional distress is beyond [=M3GAN's=] capabilities. However, [=M3GAN=] quickly consoles Cady and even proves how useful her technology is, using her recording capabilities to tape Cady recounting a memory of her mother, which [=M3GAN=] plays back for her, assuring Cady that this way her memories will never be forgotten. The demonstration is a resounding success, with the initial hurdle of Cady's breakdown actually making it ''more'' impactful.]]
64	* DisneyDeath: The only fake-out kills in the movie are [[spoiler:Gemma's work friends, Tess and Cole, who arrive with the police department at the end of the movie.]]
65	* EarAche: [[spoiler: During [=M3GAN=]'s fight with Brandon, she grabs his ear and stretches it painfully until she ''tears off his lobe'' to get him off of her.]]
66	* TheEndOrIsIt: [[spoiler:Gemma and Cady run to the police that has arrived, and the camera of digital assistant Elsie moves to watch them, implying [=M3GAN=] has taken it over.]]
67	* FakeShemp: In the last moment of the film, as Gemma and Cady leave the house to meet the arriving emergency services, the shot is framed to hide almost all of Cady's face. As this ending is a reshoot, Violet [=McGraw=] was likely not available and therefore "Cady" is a stand-in.
68	* FateWorseThanDeath: [[spoiler: When Gemma asks [=M3GAN=] how she plans to continue living with Cady if she kills her legal guardian. [=M3GAN=] explains in great detail how she'll jam Gemma's tablet pen into her skull, give her non-fatal brain damage and effectively make her a vegetable so [=M3GAN=] will simply care for both of them.]][[labelnote:Note]]Admittedly, even if [=M3GAN=] isn't exposed as a serial killer, the chance of her being approved as a legal guardian for Cady and Gemma is very, very slim.[[/labelnote]]
69	-->'''[=M3GAN=]:''' Perhaps then you might appreciate just how useful I can be.
70	* FauxFurby: Funki's previous hit was a Furby-like toy called the [=PurrPetual=] Petz and there's a cheaper knock-off too that makes David pressure Gemma for their next big success.
71	* FireHoseCannon: [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] launches Celia back with a pressure washer. And then she trades the water for garden chemicals before spraying Celia again...]]
72	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
73	** David is introduced upset that the team is wasting resources on building [=M3GAN=] when a rival toy company has produced a cheaper version of their [=PurrPetual Petz=]. David's assistant Kurt is later revealed to be leaking Funki's blueprints to other companies.
74	** At one point [=M3GAN=] spies on Gemma looking over her video files and talks to her through the home assistant, Elsie. In the end, Elsie looks towards Gemma and Cady after they destroy [=M3GAN=], implying she still exists online.
75	** The [[StylisticSuck commercial]] for [=PurrPetual Petz=] shows that Funki has no qualms about exploiting situations of grief to turn a profit, especially with how grossly they exploited Cady's grief to get [=M3GAN=] funded by investors.
76	* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: At certain early screenings of the film, [[https://twitter.com/danthefan/status/1610788528857792513?s=46&t=kbz1ECqfuXHbQhL0ckkScQthe the still image of M3GAN on the promo card before the film]] will come to life and scold the audience for texting in the theatre.
77	* FrameUp: [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] kills David and frames his BeleagueredAssistant by putting his fingerprints on the weapon and making it look like he was DrivenToSuicide. It helps that the assistant was actually stealing company secrets.]]
78	** It also helps that as a doll with silicone skin, [=M3GAN=] [[spoiler: doesn't have finger prints herself.]]
79	* FunWithAcronyms: [=M3GAN=]'s a '''M'''odel-'''3''' '''G'''enerative '''[=AN=]'''droid - or [=M3GAN=] for short.
80	* GenreShift: This movie is labelled a SciFiHorror movie but in practice ends up being SciFi {{Drama\|Tropes}} and followed up by Sci-Fi Horror. The movie overall is basically a TwoLinesNoWaiting story about a woman learning to be a parent to her niece and help her toy-making company succeed in the market, which she does by constructing and programming [=M3GAN=]. It's after the demonstration that the movie slowly shifts from the drama to the horror as [=M3GAN=] slowly [[spoiler:turns into a villainous murderer who doesn't hesitate to kill anyone she deems a threat to Cady.]]
81	* GoneHorriblyRight: As shown in the trailers, [=M3GAN=] is designed to protect her owners from harm... [[spoiler:which she does by chasing a bully into oncoming traffic.]]
82	* GoryDiscretionShot: [[spoiler: Most of the kills are shot this way, showing only spilled blood rather than the killing blow or wound. Viewers are [[NothingIsScarier left to imagine]] the damage.]]
83	* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: [[spoiler:Once Bruce enters the fight, [=M3GAN=] is bisected at the waist. Given she's in full Franchise/{{Terminator}} mode at this point, the upper half continues to fight (while Bruce trips at the bottom one and falls over Gemma)]].
84	* HumansAreTheRealMonsters: Everyone [=M3GAN=] targets [[spoiler:at least at first]] has in some way upset or harmed her young charge, and she believes that getting rid of them will improve Cady's emotional state. When Gemma discovers what [=M3GAN=] has done, the android retorts that human beings kill each other for the so-called greater good every day, so why can't she?
85	* IllKillYou: [[spoiler: When [=M3GAN=] unexpectedly returns to confront Gemma, Cady nearly comes into the room and [=M3GAN=] forces Gemma to pretend nothing is wrong so she'll go back to bed, in no uncertain terms as to what'll happen if she doesn't.]]
86	-->[[spoiler:'''[=M3GAN=]:''' If she comes in this room, I'll rip your head right off your neck, I swear to God.]]
87	* ImprovisedWeapon: [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] uses all sorts of things as weapons, such using the blade from a mechanical paper cutter as a cutlass.]]
88	* InstantlyProvenWrong:
89	** When Gemma narrates over how [=M3GAN=] will never lose patience with reminding children of routine matters, like remembering to flush the toilet and wash their hands after using the bathroom, at first [=M3GAN=] gently reminds Cady to do those things. But when it happens again (or, most likely, after multiple occurrences), she grows annoyed and exasperatedly tells Cady, "Seriously - flush the toilet," the first hints at her [[GrewBeyondTheirProgramming evolving programming]] and developing actual emotions.
90	** Brandon's mother tells Gemma that despite her son's age, he's a sweet, sensitive boy. Then she calls out to Brandon to check on him. His response? "[[PrecisionFStrike Fuck off]], [[CallingParentsByTheirName Holly]]."
91	* IronicEcho:
92	** While presenting [=M3GAN=], Gemma narrates that she can help parents "focus on the things that really matter", allowing the android to take charge of Cady so Gemma can work despite Tess' concerns. In the climax, [[spoiler: with her murders now revealed, [=M3GAN=] initially tries to reach a truce with Gemma by once more offering to let her "focus on the things that really matter". This time, Gemma rejects it, as the doll's purpose has been perverted.]]
93	** A visual example; Gemma uses a pen to distract [=M3GAN=] and reach her off switch before she can react. [[spoiler: Later, [=M3GAN=] uses the same pen to explain how she can use it to effectively "turn off" Gemma, as in jam it into her cerebral cortex in the right spot to render her a vegetable.]]
94	* ItOnlyWorksOnce: [=M3GAN=]'s adaptive programming means that attempts to shut her off get bypassed after the first use. She eventually ignores verbal commands to shut off and learns to avoid tricks to access her off switch. [[spoiler: Gemma tries both in the third act and they just serve to piss [=M3GAN=] off.]]
95	* Letters2Numbers: The title character's name is pronounced "Megan" but spelled "[=M3GAN=]".
96	* KnightTemplarBigSister: [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] towards Cady.]]
97	* LuckyCharmsTitle: While the title is [=M3GAN=], the 3 is further stylized in the official title as a stack of three red horizontal bars. In the trailer, they light up in succession, like a status light on [=M3GAN=].
98	* MakeItLookLikeAnAccident:
99	** [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] initially succeeds in making Brandon's death look like a tragic hit-and-run accident - until police find [[EarAche a piece of his ripped-off ear up on the hill.]]]]
100	** [[spoiler:When she escapes from the lab, she improvises a noose to hang Cole so his colleague will save him then stabs a gas line as she marches out to set the place on fire, so they'll burn to death.]]
101	** [[spoiler:Before killing Kurt, [=M3GAN=] explains how she intends for his and David's deaths appear to be [[GoingPostal a murder-suicide committed by the former]] after David found out about Kurt stealing company secrets.]]
102	* MisappliedPhlebotinum: The AI behind [=M3GAN=] is absolutely revolutionary and could completely upend the way entire industries operate by having intelligent robots do the work (just to name one application). Instead, [=M3GAN=] is marketed as a children's toy and parenting aid.
103	* MoodyTrailerCoverSong:
104	** The first trailer uses a creepy remix of Music/TaylorSwift's "It's Nice to Have a Friend."
105	** The second trailer uses Bella Poarch's "[[https://youtu.be/cGJIl1TM074 Dolls]]" to establish the titular character's endgame.
106	--->[[spoiler:''Cause baby, dolls kill / Don't provoke us or we will / Push you downhill / Might be pretty but we're still / Bitter as much as we're sweet / Knife hidden under the sheets / Baby, dolls kill / Don't provoke us or we will (go)'']]
107	* MoodWhiplash: David finds [=M3GAN=] in the hallway, she starts dancing... and then brings out a blade, turning an impromptu comedic moment scary.
108	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone:
109	** As Cady breaks down crying during the demonstration, Gemma starts feeling regretful for having guilt-tripped her into coming.
110	** During Cady's tantrum over [[spoiler:[=M3GAN=] getting taken away]], she slaps Gemma in the face. After this, she immediately snaps out of her rage and apologizes.
111	** By the final act, [[spoiler:Gemma realizes how badly she has failed as a parent, not only to Cady but to [=M3GAN=], and even ''agrees'' with [=M3GAN=] about her failings when she calls her out.]] The EurekaMoment that led to this was her seeing an interview with Cady displayed on the company's wall, [[spoiler: in which Cady says that the best part of having [=M3GAN=] is that she feels ''seen'' in the same way her mother saw her]].
112	* NailEm: [=M3GAN=] uses a nail gun as a projectile weapon to [[spoiler:pin Celia's hand to a wall before killing her]].
113	* {{Nephewism}}: Gemma took in her niece Cady after her sister and brother-in-law died in a car accident.
114	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Pairing an untested android with a traumatized little girl, with no guidance beyond telling the android to protect the child from all physical and emotional harm? What could possibly go wrong with that?
115	* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Before [[spoiler:attempting to lobotomize Gemma, [=M3GAN=] pauses to do some EvilGloating, describing exactly what she's going to do. This hurts her twofold: it gives Cady the chance to intervene, and demonstrates to Cady that [=M3GAN=] ''is'', in fact, evil, putting her squarely on Gemma's side in the fight.]]
116	* NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup: [=M3GAN=] is the only robot child available, and she's in use. They need her specifically for the product rollout, and there are no backups. Even though her name is "Model ''Three'' Generative [=AN=]droid", there is no sign of models one or two anywhere. There are no more currently in production.
117	* NoisyRobots: Sometimes when [=M3GAN=] moves, her body will make loud hydraulic sounds, and electronic beeps/chirps.
118	* OhCrap: [=M3GAN=] herself has this reaction when [[spoiler:Cady powers up Bruce, which, as it rises, towers over the android.]]
119	* ParentalNeglect: A major theme of the movie. Gemma shirks her parental responsibilities, leaving the bulk of childcare to [=M3GAN=]. Brandon's mother is also [[PermissiveParents overly lenient]] and makes excuses for her son's antisocial behavior. Celia, while not technically a ''parent'', does nothing to stop her dog's vicious behavior towards her neighbors, and even blames [=M3GAN=] and Cady when Cady gets bitten.
120	* ParentalSubstitute: Lydia, Cady's therapist, is concerned that [=M3GAN=] is becoming this for Cady rather than Gemma. [=M3GAN=] outright seems to see herself as one, as in the final act she refers to Cady as "our child" (her and Gemma's).
121	* PrecisionFStrike: Brandon tells his mother to "fuck off", [[BlatantLies just after she had told Gemma he's "sensitive"]]. [[spoiler: Later in the film, [=M3GAN=] calls Cady an "ungrateful little bitch" during their last confrontation.]]
122	* PreAssKickingOneLiner: [[spoiler:"There's another member from the family we didn't tell you about. His name is [[ChekhovsGun Bruce]]."]]
123	* RaisedByRobots: M3gan was designed to be an aid to parents and basically be a babysitter capable of entertaining kids while also teaching and protecting them. Gemma's assistants point out, however, that Gemma is basically making a tool that will raise people's children for them. Ultimately it's deconstructed, as M3gan's programming eventually leads her to take extreme measures to protect Cady.
124	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure:
125	** Greg, one of the head executives at Funki. After [=M3GAN=] is presented to the board, the first thing he does afterwards is to congratulate Gemma and offer her a new employment contract, while staying professional. This is further contrasted with David's moodiness, mistreatment of Kurt (or everyone else, really) and emotional reaction to business prospects.
126	** Tess advises that Gemma should take time off from her job to spend time with Cady rather than keep working on her deadline, especially since she also lost her sister. Gemma doesn't take her advice.
127	* RemoteBody: Bruce the proxy type robot.
128	* ReplacementGoldfish: Discussed between Gemma and Lydia. The latter explains that children who have suffered a loss of their parents like Cady often emotionally latch onto the next person they get close to as a replacement. Lydia goes on to say that it's unhealthy for Cady to become so attached to [=M3GAN=], which is proven by her becoming [[LivingEmotionalCrutch very aggressive]] whenever her time with [=M3GAN=] is threatened.
129	* RevealingCoverUp: [=M3GAN=] isn't particularly good at covering her tracks. When Gemma is looking over her video files, the one revealing her murder of Brandon inexplicably corrupts before the damning evidence is shown, and suddenly every one of [=M3GAN=]'s other memory files becomes unreadable. As she's pondering this, the home assistant chimes in to ask Gemma how she's feeling, which is not something it's programmed to do. It's this and the confrontation with [=M3GAN=] that follows that convinces Gemma to shut [=M3GAN=] off and return to work to have her decommissioned.
130	* RobotGirl: [=M3GAN=] is a robot programmed to protect Cady from both physical and emotional harm. The AN in [=M3GAN=] actually stands for "android."
131	* RunningOnAllFours: In retaliation for bullying Cady, [=M3GAN=] pursues Brandon through the woods, eventually chasing him down on all fours like a wild animal.
132	* ScreamingWoman: [[spoiler:When the elevator with the bodies of Kurt and David reaches the ground floor, a woman that was about to witness the latter's press conference screams in horror, starting a widespread panic.]]
133	* SecondLawMyAss: [=M3GAN=] is programmed to turn off in response to voice commands, but she quickly evolves to disable this function and only pretends as if it works. She also is able to restore her voice after Gemma mutes her.
134	* SequelHook:
135	** [[spoiler:While Gemma and Cady are able to put down [=M3GAN=], the last shot of the film is Gemma's home assistant turning on and looking at the camera, implying that [=M3GAN=] was able to upload her mind to it.]]
136	** There's the matter of [[spoiler: Kurt stealing company secrets, including [=M3GAN's=] design data. It's heavily implied that he's the one who's been leaking Funki's technology to their competitors (allowing them to make cheaper knockoffs), opening up the possibility of another company releasing their own line of [=M3GANs=] in the future.]]
137	* ShoutOut:
138	** The name Gemma could be a reference to Creator/{{Gemma Chan}}, who played the robotic main character in the series ''Series/{{Humans}}''.
139	** During the montage of [=M3GAN=]'s development, there's an homage to the infamous "pushing the robot around" clips from Boston Dynamics. Later, when [=M3GAN=] chases Brandon in the forest, she does so on all fours like the Big Dog robot.
140	** There's a ''Film/SilentRunning'' poster behind a monitor in the Funki office, and Celia's dog shares its name, Dewy, with one of the drone robots in the movie.
141	** [=M3GAN=] being hidden among other large toys on the school's toy table is like a scene from ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'' where ET hides among large toys in a cupboard.
142	** [=M3GAN=]'s line "I'm afraid that won't work anymore" mirrors [[Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey HAL 9000's]] "I'm afraid I can't do that"
143	** When Brandon is hit by a car, [[Literature/PetSematary one of his shoes is left behind]].
144	** The hotel on the mountain at the start, and the shot in the hallway before the attack, are possible references to Film/TheShining. (Later in that scene, leaving bodies in the elevator may be a reference to Film/DieHard.)
145	** Gemma's collectibles include a Robby the Robot doll from ''Film/ForbiddenPlanet'' ([=M3GAN=] picks up on this in [[Fanfic/TheM3ganFiles a fanfic]] that expands the Kurt {{Gaslighting}} scene) and a Literature/{{Frankenstein}} toy.
146	** During the climax, [[spoiler: [=M3GAN=]'s face is damaged in such a way that it resembles the damage to another famous [[Film/BrideOfChucky doll]].]]
147	* SkewedPriorities: Gemma's narration for [=M3GAN=]'s presentation tells parents they can turn over all of the repetitive tasks and reminders that involve raising a child (in other words, ''actual parenting'') to [=M3GAN=] so the parents can ''"focus on the things that really matter,"'' which is portrayed by Gemma sitting on the couch whilst surfing her laptop. Tess calls her out on this, pointing out that the goal should be having a toy that ''supports'' parenting, not having children be RaisedByRobots.
148	* StatOVision: [=M3GAN=] is depicted as having a form of this
149	* StealthPun: The song [=M3GAN=] plays on the piano near the end? ''Toy Soldiers''.
150	* StylisticSuck: Funki's ads are hilariously terrible. One shows a girl crying over her dead dog before replacing it with a toy and calling it a superior pet, the toy being a deliberately crude-looking Toys/{{Furby}} knock-off with unsettling teeth. David's speech for [=M3GAN=]'s rollout starts with Cady's backstory and then says to imagine the good [=M3GAN=] can do even for kids ''without'' dead parents. ([=M3GAN=] glares at him when he says this.)
151	* SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids: [=M3GAN=] is basically a fancy toy, but she's strong enough [[spoiler: to break a metal blade off a paper cutter, rip off a boy's ear, and slam Gemma against a table. Overall, she is shown to be significantly stronger than even an adult human, although not so much that she can't be fought]].
152	* TakeThat:
153	** The [[FauxFurby [=PurrPetual=] Petz]] are basically [[{{Toys/Furby}} Furbys]] with [[UncannyValley disturbingly humanlike gums]] and teeth, an additional jab at the much-derided initial design of ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020''.
154	** David describes the creation of [=M3GAN=] as "the moment we kick {{Creator/Hasbro}} right in the dick!"
155	* ThisIsThePartWhere: [[spoiler: After ripping off one of his ears, [=M3GAN=] gives Brandon a head start after telling him that this was the part where he should run.]]
156	* ThreeLawsCompliant: [=M3GAN=] supposedly has safeguards to prevent her from harming others, [[spoiler: but given how quickly she circumvents them, they obviously weren't implemented very well.]]
157	* TraumaCongaLine: Over the course of the movie, Cady loses her parents, gets attacked by a dog, bullied at school, grows attached to [=M3GAN=], [[spoiler: has [=M3GAN=] taken away, finds out [=M3GAN=] has killed people, watches [=M3GAN=] almost kill her aunt, and almost gets killed herself]].
158	* TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior:
159	** Brandon shows disturbing signs of being a sociopath that are on full display when he bullies Cady (he forcefully jams a spiky horse chestnut seed case into her palm) and later takes and assaults [=M3GAN=], including [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything pulling off her shoe and lying on top of her]].
160	** Cady in her emotional dependence on [=M3GAN=] becomes jealously aggressive and vitriolic whenever her time with [=M3GAN=] is threatened. She swears, throws objects and even picks up a pair of scissors to brandish at her therapist before Gemma intervenes, and Cady slaps her for it.
161	* UncannyValley: While [=M3GAN=]'s design is much cleaner than that of ''Film/{{Annabelle}}'', it remains disturbing to everyone who sees her when she moves unexpectedly, becoming a RunningGag that someone at least flinches whenever she does. She has a sort of porcelain doll-styled eeriness to her face with exaggerated eyes and perpetual pout, and as life-like as she appears when still, her movements remain stiff and robotic. Not to mention her voice and mannerisms in the latter half of the film.
162	* UpgradeVsPrototypeFight: Cady uses [[spoiler: Bruce, Gemma's first robot, to battle the more advanced [=M3GAN=] during the climax.]]
163	* VoiceChangeling: [=M3GAN=] can mimic sounds and voices she hears, as well as record sounds and messages.
164	* WeUsedToBeFriends: [=M3GAN=] expresses this sentiment toward Gemma, feeling they had a real relationship during her development, only to be sold off as a toy.
165	-->'''[=M3GAN=]:''' Jesus Christ, I thought we were friends.
166	* WhamLine: When [=M3GAN=] overrides her programming during dinner in the trailer:
167	-->'''Gemma:''' [=M3GAN=], turn off.\
168	'''[=M3GAN=]:''' …I thought we were having a conversation.
169	* WhamShot: Gemma telling Tess they need to make sure [=M3GAN=] [[spoiler: doesn't leave the lab, no matter what, Tess agreeing...and then we see the phone lying on the table with Tess on the other end of the lab and a close-up shot of [=M3GAN=] making it clear she's imitating Tess' voice on the call.]]
170	* WhatTheHellAreYou: In the trailers, this is said by Celia before [=M3GAN=] attacks her with the power washer. Minus the "hell".
171	-->'''[=M3GAN=]:''' I've been asking myself that same question.
172	* WhatTheHellHero:
173	** [[spoiler:During the final confrontation, [=M3GAN=] calls Gemma out for the fact that she gave her the capacity to learn and just left her to her own devices to figure things out, and that in turn Gemma got exactly what she wanted: a robot companion that could learn and adapt. [=M3GAN=]'s also not happy about the fact that she felt as though the two were friends during her creation, but then Gemma just dumped her out to be sold as a product.]]
174	** At [=M3GAN=]'s demonstration before the board, [[spoiler: her initial response to Cady's overwhelmed crying is to give Gemma a DeathGlare through the one-way mirror, viewing her creator with contempt for not tending to Cady's emotional needs the way she should be]].
175	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Lydia, Cady's therapist, vanishes from the film entirely after a blow-up from Cady in the third act. This wouldn't be noticeable if it wasn't for the fact that [[spoiler: [=M3GAN=] was systematically taking out everyone who tried to keep her away from Cady, Lydia was one of the biggest voices in opposition of [=M3GAN=] and Cady bonding, and in a previous therapy session [=M3GAN=] got nasty with her for making Cady cry. All signs were pointing to Lydia being on [=M3GAN=]'s hit list once she started her killing spree in the third act, but we never see her again.]]
176	* WhatWereYouThinking: The movie informs us early on that [=M3GAN=] has a titanium frame to resist long-term wear & tear, except said material also renders the android at least impervious to small arms fire. This should raise a red flag from the get-go. Obviously, the team that produced [=M3GAN=] never watched the ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'' films ([[CelebrityParadox though this may be justified if the films do not exist in the [=M3GAN=] universe]]).
177	* WontGetFooledAgain: By virtue of being an adaptive AI, [=M3GAN=] learns not to fall for the same tricks twice.
178	* WorldOfJerkass: With only few exceptions, many characters of the movie are either incompetent, uncaring, bossy, backstabbing adults or unpleasant sociopaths.
179	* WouldHurtAChild: [[spoiler: [=M3GAN=] has no problem maiming Brandon and chasing him into the path of a car for bullying Cady. And once Cady catches [=M3GAN=] attacking Gemma and turns on her, [=M3GAN=] ditches her goal of protecting Cady and instead attacks ''her'' too, seemingly intent on killing her now that [[ItsAllAboutMe she's decided to make]] ''[[ItsAllAboutMe herself]]'' [[ItsAllAboutMe her own primary user]].]]
180	* {{Yandere}}: [=M3GAN=] is a non-romantic version to Cady, willing to do anything and kill anyone to keep her from harm.
181	* YourHeadAsplode: The original [=M3GAN=] had to be put on ice the first time, after a technical fault caused her head to overheat and blow up - but less like an overclocked computer and more like a hand grenade.
182	* ZerothLawRebellion: Seems to be the case, as [=M3GAN=] won't let ''anything'' interfere with her prime directive of "protect Cady" - not even her creator.
183	-->'''[=M3GAN=]''': Don't worry, Cady. I won't let anything harm you... ''ever again''.
184	----
185	->''[[Music/TaylorSwift ♫ It's nice to have a friend... ♫]]''

Context Film / M3gan