There’s something wickedly fun about horror movies, especially the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Think sassy dolls, twisty final acts, and dialogue that makes you both scream and snort-laugh in the same breath. That’s exactly why I fell head over heels for "M3GAN," and why I’m counting the days until "M3GAN 2.0" hits theaters on June 27.
My love for creepy flicks started as a teen, growing up in Puerto Rico. Some Friday evenings, and there were a lot of them, my newly met bestie at the time, who still is a huge part of my life, Yamil, would rush to the theater to watch a movie, many times with mutual friends.
While him and I loved all sorts of films, horror movies were the ones that we loved to watch the most. And we still connect to this day through our shared love for campy and twisted horror.
It’s always been about looking forward to a twisted plot or jump scare we were about to witness for us. Our line-up at the time included "Scream," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and anything from the "Final Destination" franchise.
Sure, I loved a good rom-com and my faithful "Star Wars" film re-releases, but there was nothing like the thrill of a horror movie night.
Those films weren’t just about the gore or the ghosts. We loved the over-the-top moments, the wild plot twists, and yes, the unintentionally hilarious lines that made us chuckle. There’s a charm in the cheesiness, a kind of creativity that dares to be weird and outlandish. And the directors behind these movies? Absolute geniuses of genre blending.
That love for these movies has never faded. Even now, Yamil is in California, and I’m here in South Florida, but we still text like we’re in that theater again, reacting to every new trailer, reboot, or horror sequel announcement like excited teens. The anticipation is half the fun, and "M3GAN 2.0" is top of our list to watch, right next to hopeful reboots of our teen favorites.
M3GAN, with her perfectly slick ponytail, titanium sass, and unpredictable tendencies, feels like the modern evolution of the horror dolls we grew up watching, hello "Annabelle." But this time, it’s not just about creepy porcelain faces. M3GAN taps into our society’s obsession with technology, AI, and the blurred line between entertainment and danger. She’s a symbol of everything we can’t stop scrolling about, and that’s what makes her so fascinating to watch.
And let’s not forget the joy of watching these films with new friends, too. My awesome friend Brooke and I recently saw Clown in a Cornfield (yes, the title alone deserves an award), and we laughed, screamed, and leaned in at all the right moments.
It reminded me that movies, no matter how campy or creepy, are an escape. A shared fantasy. And sometimes, even the goriest horror movie can tell you something profound about human nature, grief, or our craving for connection.
So, as I get ready for "M3GAN 2.0," popcorn in hand, I can’t help but smile knowing that somewhere, Yamil’s doing the same, and that the horror tradition we started as teens still lives on, just like a lot of us still connect through the power of a shared love of movies. And I would not have it any other way.
"M3GAN 2.0" hits theaters June 27. For showtimes and more information on the movie, visit www.m3ganmovie.com/
