A brand new thriller released as a sequel to a 2022 hit is dividing opinions. M3GAN 2.0 is an American sci-fi action film written and directed by Gerard Johnstone based on a story by both Johnstone and Akela Cooper.

The film’s synopsis reads: “Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous (and impeccably choreographed) rampage and was subsequently destroyed, M3GAN’s creator Gemma has become a high-profile author and advocate for government oversight of A.I. Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady, now 14, has become a teenager, rebelling against Gemma’s overprotective rules. Unbeknownst to them, the underlying tech for M3GAN has been stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia, the ultimate killer infiltration spy.

“But as Amelia’s self-awareness increases, she becomes decidedly less interested in taking orders from humans. Or in keeping them around. With the future of human existence on the line, Gemma realizes that the only option is to resurrect M3GAN and give her a few upgrades, making her faster, stronger, and more lethal. As their paths collide, the original A.I. bitch is about to meet her match.”

Amie Donald physically portrays the charcater of M3GAN voiced by Jenna Davis. Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ivanna Sakhno, and Jemaine Clement also star in the movie.

Critics and fans are offering conflicting opinions on the thriller however, with fans awarding it with a high rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and critics awarding it just 58%.

Fans of the film have said “it is the best” and “you won’t be disappointed”, while the critics say feel its not as good as its predecessor.

The critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “M3gan 2.0 swaps the original’s horror software for a more action-leaning programming that doesn’t prove to be an upgrade, although the quippy A.I. remains an amusing mascot of slay.”

One critic wrote: “M3GAN 2.0 has little dramatic shape and no directorial style. In striving for more than the original, it achieves far less.”

However, a fan of the film said: “This movie is fantastic. I don’t understand the negative reviews. The humor is sardonic, just like the first movie. The action is intense and holds up the best action films of all time. The story is surprising and emotional. I think Megan 2.0 is action better than the original. Love it, love it, love it.”

M3GAN 2.0 is out in UK cinemas now.