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    Movie Review

    New horror film M3GAN 2.0 turns up the campy fun of the original

    Alex Bentley
    Jun 27, 2025 | 1:01 pm
    M3GAN in M3GAN 2.0

    M3GAN in M3GAN 2.0.

    Photo by Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures

    When a studio releases a movie in January (aka Dumpuary), the general rule of thumb is that they’re trying to get rid of a movie that isn’t very good. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, as M3GAN was in 2023, which rode the comedy of a killer AI robot who likes to dance to over $180 million worldwide.

    A sequel was a given, and now with a built-in fanbase, M3GAN 2.0 is a prime summer release. After running into trouble with her robot invention, Gemma (Allison Williams) has seemingly seen the error of her ways, now focused on creating things like a mechanical exoskeleton that can benefit society. Little does she know that the code she used to create M3GAN (aka Model 3 Generative Android) has been co-opted to create AMELIA (Ivanna Sakhno), a new robot which is being used for nefarious purposes.

    Naturally, the only thing to do is to bring M3GAN (played by Amie Donald, voiced by Jenna Davis) back from the “dead,” which is easy to do because — surprise! — she has been lurking inside the smart house in which Gemma and her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) now live. The inevitable showdown between the two robots is alternately helped and hindered by people like billionaire Alton Appleton (Jemaine Clement), fellow tech entrepreneur Christian (Aristotle Athari), co-worker Cole (Brian Jordan Alvarez), and others.

    Written and directed by Gerard Johnstone, who also directed the first film, M3GAN 2.0 doesn’t stray from the original formula, delivering way more laughs than scares. Because there’s a familiarity with the character, Johnstone leans into the campy side of things, essentially winking at the audience for much of the film. Whether it’s temporarily imprisoning M3GAN in an innocuous desktop robot or a number of one-liners, there is a lot of comedy to be found.

    The film is a type of horror, though, and it delivers in the mild, PG-13 way that won’t offend non-horror fans. AMELIA (aka Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics and Infiltration Android) gives off Terminator vibes, and she lays waste to virtually all challengers. M3GAN doesn’t get to show off her skills as much as she did last time, which might be a tad frustrating for some, but she gets in enough punches and kicks for the experience to be worth it.

    The story itself starts off strong before devolving into an overly complicated mess. The arc of AMELIA is particularly strange, as the strength of her powers and the level of her autonomy seem to change at will in the second half of the film. Gemma develops a rivalry with another character that might have worked better if it had been hinted at early in the film instead of being dropped in as a surprise.

    Davis’ voice performance as M3GAN is once again fantastic, as she delivers sarcasm and menace equally well. Sakhno isn’t asked to do much but look terrifying, and she accomplishes that job. Williams is up and down in her role, stronger in the moments when she’s not being asked to prove her tech bona fides. Clement is his usual over-the-top self, which suits his character.

    As with the first film, if you go into M3GAN 2.0 not expecting anything more than some goofy violent robot action, you’ll walk away satisfied. The unlikely breakout hit for Blumhouse Productions may not be able to support a good story, but it entertains in the way it’s supposed to do.

    ---

    M3GAN 2.0 is now playing in theaters.

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    news/entertainment

    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jun 24, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Hilary Duff
    Photo by Aaron Idelson
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    This weekend has several heavy hitters doing live concerts, including rap boss Rick Ross, soul songstress Alex Isley and, Lizzie McGuire herself, Hilary Duff.

    However, Houstonians looking for less musical options, this weekend offers some great choices: several movie-related happenings, a wine-filled anniversary party, an Art Car showcase, the opening of a very patriotic art show, and even a Puppy Cup!

    So, go out there and, as a deep-voiced white man once said, take it to the streets!

    Thursday, June 25

    Nan & Company Properties and Chapman & Kirby present Puppy Cup
    Houston real estate brokerage Nan & Company Properties is partnering with Chapman & Kirby to host the inaugural Puppy Cup. The free public event will feature a live puppy soccer match, a FIFA World Cup watch party, live music, and charitable fundraising, creating a one-of-a-kind summer celebration benefiting Houston-based animal welfare nonprofit PetSet. Attendees can also enjoy Chapman & Kirby's specialty event cocktail, the Million Dollar Margarita ($14), and 20 percent of each cocktail sold during the event will be donated to PetSet. 6 pm.

    Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves
    Elmo’s Got the Moves, an all-new Sesame Street Live production, is a joyful and engaging show that invites children and their families to sing, dance, and move along with their favorite friends from Sesame Street in a heartwarming, interactive celebration unlike anything they’ve seen before. The show features Elmo and his friends as they move and groove to fan-favorite songs, including "Sunny Days," "Elmo’s Got the Moves," and "Letter of the Day." 6 pm.

    IPSY and Rooftop Cinema Club Houston present Some Like It Hot
    Join Rooftop Cinema Club Houston and beauty subscription IPSY under the stars for an evening of old Hollywood glamour. Come celebrate 100 years of Marilyn Monroe, the original blonde bombshell, by watching the classic comedy Some Like it Hot, where she gets into screwball shenanigans with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, all dolled up in drag as on-the-run musicians. Upon entry, each guest will receive our exclusive IPSY x MM 100 Glam Bag full of must-have beauty goodies. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, June 26

    The T.R.U.T.H. Project Inc. and Black Alphabet NFP present 2nd Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival
    The 2nd Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival Houston is a two-night celebration of Black LGBTQ+ film, culture, and community, going down at The DeLUXE Theater in the Fifth Ward. Born from a shared commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices through art and advocacy, the festival brings together filmmakers, community members, and culture-makers for two evenings of curated screenings, talkbacks, and community-centered programming exploring wellness, identity, and the liberating power of storytelling. 6 pm (10 am Saturday).

    Houston Symphony presents Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert
    Between crushing on Cho Chang, studying for his O.W.L.s, and the ever-growing number of detentions from Professor Umbridge, Harry Potter (future Tracy Morgan scene-partner Daniel Radcliffe) must find the time to discover the secret of his terrible nightmares. All of this happens in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, which will be presented in HD on a giant screen and accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    The Players Theatre Company presents 1776
    It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence ... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it. 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

    Steve Ray Ladson and Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms in concert
    America's Got Talent finalist Steve Ray Ladson has partnered with folk-soul duo Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms (formerly Native Harrow) to perform three co-bill concerts in Texas, including a show at The Continental Club in Midtown. Tuel and Harms have been touring through the Lone Star State – bringing "twilight twang and vintage vibes” – for a decade. As for Ladson, he’ll be bringing his "Blackgrass BrotherCana" sound and full band to The Continental Club. 9 pm.

    Saturday, June 27

    HMAAC Cinema Cafe presents Paris Is Burning
    For Pride Month and Black Music Month, the Houston Museum of African American Culture has a special screening lined up. Jennie Livingston’s landmark 1991 documentary Paris Is Burning provides a vibrant snapshot of the ‘80s, through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, the film offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Noon.

    Mid Main Houston presents Summer Series 2026: Art Car Showcase & Midtown Cultural Arts Mixer
    Mid Main Houston’s Summer Series wraps with a celebration of Houston’s iconic Art Car culture along Winbern Street, in partnership with the Midtown Cultural Arts Mixer. Explore Moon Papas Art curated and a striking film installation by Camilo Gonzalez at the Mid Main Art Gallery and Windows on Main. Meet Art Car artists and their wildly transformed vehicles, join a recycled art workshop, and enjoy a high-energy lineup featuring live music, plus entertainment throughout the night. Don’t miss a chance to meet Midtown’s first-ever Artist in Residence, DUAL. 3 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Little Sister
    Winner of the Queer Palm at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Hafsia Herzi’s coming-of-age drama follows Fatima (Nadia Melliti), the youngest of three daughters in a traditional Algerian family, as she moves from high school to college in Paris. Exploring a whole new world, she grapples with how to balance her attraction to women with respect for her caring Muslim family. She also confronts a timeless and heartrending dilemma: How can one stay true to oneself when reconciling different parts of one’s identity feels impossible? 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Voices of Arts Central presents Forever Nebrada
    Voices of Arts Central, in partnership with the Nebrada Foundation, will present a one-night-only performance of Forever Nebrada, a tribute to the enduring spirit of Vicente Nebrada, a visionary choreographer whose work reshaped the identity of Venezuelan and Latin American ballet. More than a remembrance, the performance affirms that Nebrada’s vision continues to move, inspire, and define generations of dancers and audiences around the world. 7:30 pm.

    Sunday, June 28

    Barcelona Wine Bar presents Uncorked: Thirty
    Barcelona Wine Bar is turning 30 this year, and they’re marking the occasion with something a little special. Uncorked: Thirty is a walk-around tasting built around 30 bottles pulled from the wine list, alongside chef pairings and passed bites. It's described as less of a tasting event and more of a fun celebration of the wines, the producers, and the relationships that helped shape the restaurant over three decades. Noon and 1 pm.

    Hilary Duff
    Photo by Aaron Idelson

    Hilary Duff performs in The Woodlands this weekend.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "America 250: 1776-2026" opening day
    As America will soon reach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, art offers meaningful perspectives into moments in time. With "America 250," the MFAH highlights American artistic achievements in its permanent collection. Houstonians are invited to discover these works of art throughout galleries on the main campus and at both house museums: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and Rienzi. Through Sunday, January 3. 12:30 pm.

    The Music Box Theater presents Feelin' Groovy
    The Music Box Theater continues its tradition of singing groovy tunes in an all-new exploration of the music from the 1960s and 1970s. Songs from the era will be interspersed with comedy sketches. The Feelin’ Groovy show will feature classics originally sung by Aretha Franklin (“A Natural Woman”), Doobie Brothers (“Takin’ It to the Streets”), Eagles (“Heartache Tonight”), Diana Ross (“Touch Me in the Morning”), Sam & Dave (“Soul Man”), Glenn Campbell (“Wichita Lineman”), and more. Through Saturday, August 15. 2 pm.

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