Most horror films get an R-rating for specific themes such as violence, language, or s*x, but due to M3GAN’s target audience, which is mostly teens, Universal had to give the film a PG-13. This has held the movie back in many ways and missed the opportunity to explore its depth.
M3GAN was received positively by the critics, and more than its horror factor, the comedic side of it engaged audiences and drew more viewers. Indeed, it was an enjoyable viewing experience, but for avid horror fans, the rating becomes an issue.
Horror Film M3GAN Has Been Robbed Of Its Full Potential
M3GAN follows the story of Cady (Violet McGraw) as she deals with the loss of her parents after a car crash. Gemma (Allison Williams), a roboticist at the high-end toy company Funki and aunt of Cady, designed M3GAN with her team of scientists to help her niece move on from the traumatic experience.
The female android served as a companion for Cady, but when things took a dark turn, Gemma had to pull Cady away from her robot friend. M3GAN started acting up, and things went into chaos.
Such a concept deserved a horrific turn of events, bloody visuals, and a terrifying ambiance throughout the movie. It should have focused on darker themes, such as trauma and loneliness, amidst the wild obsession of the android towards protecting Cady. Instead, comedic lines were thrown in on places where it should be tragic and brutal.
The movie, although robbed of the chance to receive an R-rating, was scarier after the reshoots, said director Gerard Johnston. He told Total Film:
“What I was really stoked about is that when we reshot those scenes, they were more effective. It’s like, ‘Yes, you do have to cut away at certain times’ but it’s fun having to rely on sound and suggestion so much.”
The director also admitted that the film was so close to becoming PG-13. He also thought it would seem “kind of a mistake not to embrace it.” This is when he and his team decided to reshoot several scenes to fit the PG-13 rating.
M3GAN Might Have A Different Score In The Rumored Unrated Cut
In the end, M3GAN became a horror comedy film intended for public viewing. It is meant to be enjoyed as pure entertainment, and not to be taken seriously despite its underlying themes of grief, trauma, and depression. The audience would be a bunch of teenagers, anyway; they might look at the movie as something to pass the time.
There is, however, a rumor of an unrated cut for future release. This might be the chance that the film will unleash its full horror potential. There is no confirmation yet, but M3GAN’s writer Akela Cooper approves of the idea.
M3GAN is now showing in theaters worldwide.
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