Summary
The world ofM3GANis expanding with a spinoff movie in addition to a proper sequel, but the spinoff movie already sounds too similar to one ofBlack Mirror’s best episodes. The horror genre continues to enjoy a successful run with adaptations of other works, sequels, reboots, and original works, and one of the biggest surprises in the latter category isM3GAN. Directed by Gerard Johnstone,M3GANwas released in 2022 and took critics and general audiences by surprise with its blend of sci-fi, horror, and comedy.M3GANwas a critical and commercial success, becoming one of 2022’s best horror movies.
M3GANfollows Gemma (Allison Williams), a roboticist at a toy company who becomes the guardian of her eight-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). To help her cope with the loss of her parents, Gemma pairs Cady with a child-sized humanoid robot powered by artificial intelligence called M3GAN. Although it starts well and Cady shows improvement, M3GAN develops self-awareness and becomes over-protective of Cady, determined to take down anyone who comes between them. The success ofM3GANled to the development of a sequel and now a spinoff movie too, but the latter is already too similar to oneBlack Mirrorepisode.
M3GAN Cast & Character Guide
M3GAN marks the start of 2023’s horror movie slate. The film delivers with a cast that is up to the task. Here’s a full guide to who they play & more.
M3GAN Spinoff Movie Soulm8te Is The Horror Version Of Black Mirror’s “Be Right Back”
“Be Right Back” Is One Of Black Mirror’s Best Episodes
Soulm8tefollows a man who buys an AI android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife.
The ending ofM3GANleft the door open for a continuation, as even though the doll was destroyed, it was implied the AI is still active, as one of Gemma’s AI home devices turned on by itself right at the end.AM3GANsequel was confirmedto be in development in 2023, with Williams and McGraw returning to reprise their roles, and it’s scheduled for a June 15, 2025, release. Now,M3GANis also getting a spinoff movie titledSoulm8te, an erotic thriller projected for a July 13, 2025, release.
Soulm8tewill be directed by Kate Dolan, with a story by James Wan and Ingrid Bisu.Soulm8tefollows a man who buys an AI android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. However, in an attempt to create a sentient partner,he accidentally turns the once harmless android into a deadly soulmate.Soulm8tefits with the technologically advanced world introduced inM3GAN, but it’s also similar toBlack Mirror’s season 2 episode “Be Right Back”, starring Domhnall Gleeson and Hayley Atwell.
“Be Right Back” follows Martha, who, after her boyfriend, Ash, dies in a car accident, buys an AI service that imitates him.Martha then decides to try the service’s experimental stage in which, with AI-Ash’s instructions, she turns a synthetic body into an android almost identical to Ash. However, Martha grows frustrated and sadder when she realizes that, as much as the android looks and talks like Ash, she will never really have him back.Soulm8tehas the same premise, but instead of having a melancholic tone, it’s going on a horror path by turning the android into a threat.
Black Mirror: Be Right Back’s Ending Explained
Black Mirror’s Be Right Back ending is bittersweet in that it addresses topics like grief and online personas. Here’s what happens and what it means.
How Soulm8te Can Avoid Comparisons To Black Mirror & M3GAN
Soulm8te Has A Big Challenge Ahead
Despite links toM3GAN,Soulm8tehas to be its own thing to stand out and avoid being the same movie but with different characters.
As exciting as its story sounds,Soulm8teis facing big challenges due to its connection toM3GANand its similarities toBlack Mirror’s “Be Right Back”.Soulm8tewill obviously have links toM3GANas it’s part of the same universe, but at the same time, it has to be its own thing to stand out and avoid being the same movie but with different characters. It’s unclear ifSoulm8tewill take place before or after the events ofM3GANand if Gemma’s company will be involved in some way, butSoulm8tehas better chances of succeeding if it doesn’t do the same thingsM3GANdid.
“Be Right Back” is one ofthe bestBlack Mirrorepisodesto date (and widely regarded by many as the series’ best episode), and comparisons between it andSoulm8tewill be inevitable when the latter comes out. However,Soulm8tehas the advantage of leaning more into horror than “Be Right Back”, which was more about drama rather than horror. Through this,Soulm8tecan give an interesting twist to “Be Right Back”, showing another, more terrifying side to the story thanBlack Mirrordid.
M3GAN
M3GAN follows a toy company roboticist who creates an AI doll designed to emotionally bond with her orphaned niece. As the doll’s programming becomes excessively protective, it leads to unforeseen and alarming consequences. The film explores themes of artificial intelligence and emotional connections.
