Just prior to the theatrical release of M3GAN in early January, director Gerard Johnstone revealed that the film went through a number of reshoots in order to achieve a PG-13 rating.
There are two versions available: the theatrical PG-13 version and a new unrated cut. We watched them side-by-side for comparison. Is the “M3GAN” Unrated Cut Longer? The unrated cut of “M3GAN” is actually shorter than the theatrical version, but not by much.
In addition to the violent scenes and scary visual images mentioned above, M3GAN has some scenes that could scare or disturb children aged 8-13 years. For example: Cady is taken away in an ambulance. She is covered in blood.
While the blood and swearing flow in any Chucky movie, M3GAN was hindered a bit by its PG-13 boundaries. The decision to not go for a hard R rating is understandable. M3GAN is meant to be more of a fun horror comedy directed at teens.
The R-rating doesn't ban children under 17 from a movie, it restricts them to watching it with a parent or guardian (and includes a recommendation that parents and guardians learn more before allowing their child to see the movie).
Somewhat barely gory. Director's Cut ("Unrated" Cut) contains the same violence as the PG-13 movie, but with more bloody imagery. M3GAN is one of the "more violent" PG 13 movies.
M3GAN is not just comedy and horror in one, led by an AI doll that provides extreme loyalty and care for her assigned companion, but it also tackles darker and more serious issues, from the different stages of grief to the shadiness of capitalism, and that alone is worth the praise the movie is getting.
Any cut of M3GAN is worth the watch. I would just caution you to not expect anything drastically different than what you saw in the PG-13 version. These changes are as subtle as when you change mascara brands. It's still doing the job, but it's not going to change your life.
Gemma is covertly using the company's resources to develop M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), a child-sized humanoid robot doll powered by artificial intelligence, designed to be the ultimate companion for children.
R: Restricted - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated movies unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 25 years of age or older. Please be prepared to show an ID at the theatre.
M3GAN 2 will be released in theaters in the US on May 16, 2025. The sequel was originally slated for a January 2025 release, which would fall in line with the release of the original in January 2023, but Universal recently announced that it had pushed back the date by four months.
Persons under 17 must be accompanied throughout the entire feature by an adult 21 or over for any R-rated feature. ID is required. Persons aged 17 to 20 may purchase tickets only for themselves for any R-rated feature.
Is “M3GAN” scary? Honestly, not really. “M3GAN” is, first and foremost, a horror comedy, with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek. Filmmaker Gerard Johnstone knows what he's doing; his first feature was the terrific “Housebound,” which also liberally mixed thrills and laughs.
Unapologetically silly and all the more entertaining for it, M3GAN is the rare horror-comedy that delivers chuckles as effortlessly as chills. As long as you aren't looking for something truly scary -- or even surprising -- M3GAN is often a lot of fun.
It's now been revealed that the film, which is PG-13 in the US , was originally designed to be more graphic, but had some gory content erased in an attempt to lure in a younger audience – a tactic that has paid off.
The MPAA rating has been assigned for “violent content and terror, some strong language and a suggestive reference.” The Kids-In-Mind.com evaluation includes suggestive dancing by an AI doll, three deaths by car accidents, a dog attack, a few encounters with an aggressive dog, the implied killing of a dog, several ...
It's well made, albeit violent, and focuses on human needs as well as artificial ones. Characters are killed, and there are discussions about death, loss, and grief. Someone's ear is ripped off, and characters are stabbed, strangled, shot with a nail gun, sprayed with a chemical sprayer, bitten by a dog, etc.
And while M3GAN looks very robotic, she is fully played by a person. Actually, two people. Amie Donald played M3GAN when it came to physical movements, while Jenna Davis did her voice work. Amie Donald at the premiere of M3GAN.
M3GAN was originally programmed to protect her niece Cady after the deaths of her parents, but eventually it begins to go rogue to the point of killing people - thereby setting the events of the film into motion. She is the cousin figure and former friend-turned-arch-nemesis of both her creator Gemma and Cady.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned, Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13. This rating is a stronger caution for parents that content included may not be appropriate for children under 13 (pre-teen ages). This may include stronger language, extended violence or sexual situations and drug-use.
Some are movies are just spooky. Gentle thrills can let kids explore fears in a safe environment. Others movies can be very scary and even violent. Scary movies that contain violence or adult content can have harmful effects on young viewers' behavior and mental health.
