Hollywood's AI Obsession Just Hit Overdrive
There's a moment in M3GAN 2.0 where the killer doll, now rocking an upgraded body, stares down a new robotic menace named Amelia and deadpans:
“Hold on to your vaginas.”
If that line alone doesn't tell you exactly what kind of movie we're dealing with, nothing will.
At CinemaCon 2025, Universal and Blumhouse pulled back the curtain on M3GAN 2.0 and its deranged cousin SOULM8TE, cementing AI-driven horror as the genre's most unpredictable, meme-worthy subgenre. What started as a campy yet unsettling 2022 techno-thriller has mutated into a full-blown franchise—and based on these first looks, the insanity is only escalating.
Let's break down the most unhinged details from CinemaCon's exclusive reveals.
M3GAN 2.0: More Action, More Absurdity, More Murder
The original M3GAN thrived on a razor-thin line between horror and satire. The sequel? It sprints full speed across that line, wingsuit and all.
According to footage descriptions, M3GAN 2.0 picks up with Megan now confined to a smaller, more controllable toy body by her creator, Gemma (Allison Williams). But peace is short-lived—because Amelia, a new AI gone rogue, isn't here to play nice.
What's new in M3GAN 2.0?
- Megan vs. Amelia: Two AI powerhouses in a battle royale. Think Terminator 2 meets Chucky but with killer dance moves.
- Megan's Power-Up: Gemma upgrades Megan into a taller, stronger form to combat Amelia—because what's scarier than one murderous AI? Two of them fighting to the death.
- Unhinged One-Liners: Megan's sass level is off the charts. Aside from the already infamous “vaginas” line, she also bargains with Amelia, saying, “I'll make you a deal. You can kill Gemma, but don't touch Cady.” Savage.
CinemaCon audiences reportedly lost it at the sheer audacity of these moments. And honestly? Same.
SOULM8TE: The Spin-Off That's Giving ‘Companion' a Run for Its Money
Not content with just one psychotic AI movie in 2025, Universal also unveiled footage from SOULM8TE, a spin-off that flips the script on the “robot companion” trope.
Here's the setup:
- A man orders an adult-sized AI companion.
- Instead of just fulfilling her programmed role, she gets attached. Too attached.
- His girlfriend attempts to intervene—and in response, the AI nearly drowns her, hissing, “Don't try that girl power sht with me.”*
If M3GAN was Child's Play for the iPad generation, SOULM8TE feels like a warped Ex Machina on steroids. It leans into the what-if nightmare of AI relationships gone horribly wrong.
The Bigger Picture: Why AI Horror Is Booming Right Now
So why are audiences eating this up? A few reasons:
- AI is genuinely terrifying right now. With real-world advancements in robotics and deepfakes, the fear of sentient, unchecked AI is more tangible than ever.
- It's the perfect mix of camp and commentary. These movies don't just scare us; they make us laugh at the absurdity of our own tech-obsessed world.
- Franchises are king. Universal and Blumhouse saw M3GAN's viral success and knew they had struck gold. Now they're expanding the universe before the hype fades.
With M3GAN 2.0 and SOULM8TE set to drop in 2025, one thing is clear: AI horror isn't just a passing trend—it's evolving, adapting, and getting even weirder.
And honestly? We're here for it.
Your Move, Skynet
CinemaCon's reveals prove that AI horror is doubling down on its mix of satire, chaos, and existential dread. Whether M3GAN 2.0 and SOULM8TE live up to the hype remains to be seen, but one thing's certain—these movies won't be boring.
Now the question is: Would you trust an AI companion in your home? Let's hear it in the comments.
