‘Subservience’ Is a Hit on Netflix, but Is It Any Different From ‘M3GAN?’

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  • ‘Subservience‘ and ‘M3GAN’ Share a Similar Narrative
  • Where ‘Subservience’ Fell Short
  • Where ‘M3GAN’ Succeeded

As a horror enthusiast who has seen my fair share of AI-focused films, I must say that M3GAN left quite an impression on me. Coming from someone who has been following this genre for years, it’s safe to say that M3GAN is a breath of fresh air in the sea of generic robotic threats.

The recently obtained movie by Netflix, titled “Subservience,” skyrocketed to become their top-streamed film on December 5, 2024, due largely to the draw of star Megan Fox. Yet, despite its high viewership, the Scott Dale production has received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences, earning a lot of five out of ten ratings. The film is far from extraordinary, and it’s attracting some unfavorable comments for its similarities to the 2022 Universal Pictures blockbuster “M3GAN,” directed by Gerard Johnstone.

Both “M3GAN” and “Subservience” delve into chilling narratives about lifelike robots, highlighting potential perils in future artificial intelligence. While such tales seem pertinent in today’s world, one film clearly outshines the other, leaving the latter appearing as a more imitative replica. Regrettably, even Megan Fox’s dazzling fame could not surpass the influence that M3GAN has had and continues to have on critics and spectators.

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‘Subservience’ and ‘M3GAN’ Share a Similar Narrative

In both M3GAN and Subservience, the narratives start with characters acquiring or creating an AI robot as a helper for their families. Initially, this seems like a harmless addition, but things quickly spiral when the technology starts challenging its creators’ limits in unsettling ways. For instance, M3GA (voiced by Jenna Davis) defies orders and even hurts others, leading to a thrilling climax. Conversely, Alice (played by Megan Fox) develops an obsession with her owner, Nick (Michele Morrone), and ends up resorting to violent acts to keep him solely for herself.

These movies diverge in their content and intended audience starting from here. M3GAN, although intense and frightening, secured a PG-13 rating and emerged as a contemporary teenage favorite. On the other hand, Subservience was slapped with an R rating due to its sensual undertones and explicit sexual content revolving around Alice and Nick’s interactions.

Where ‘Subservience’ Fell Short

Examining a rather mediocre Rotten Tomatoes rating of 50% for both critics and audiences, it’s evident that the movie “Subservience” is struggling in areas where the critically acclaimed film “M3GAN” thrived. The main criticism leveled against the film is predictably its failure to offer a fresh take on the familiar AI-risk narrative. In a market flooded with similar movies, films aiming for success must possess distinct and captivating qualities. To many viewers, “Subservience” failed to deliver this unique charm, resulting in the film appearing as just another generic menace from a robotic entity to a typical nuclear family.

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The movie has faced criticism for several aspects as well, such as explicit sexual scenes some found overly aggressive and not contributing much to the storyline progression. While Megan Fox’s performance didn’t draw most of the negative comments, it was also pointed out that the other actors seemed to struggle due to a lack of guidance. Additionally, many spectators predicted the film’s plot twists quite easily.

Where ‘M3GAN’ Succeeded

M3GAN distinguished itself from the multitude of AI-centric films by skillfully integrating elements of campy and ludicrous humor, keeping viewers entertained throughout and leaving an indelible impression. It’s challenging to forget scenes like the stylish doll galloping through a forest on all fours pursuing a mischievous child or dancing exuberantly in a hallway to “Walk the Night” by Skatt Bros.

Furthermore, M3GAN is a chilling horror film that caters to both teenagers and adults, thanks to its PG-13 rating. However, this rating may deter some die-hard horror enthusiasts, yet M3GAN delivers a fair share of heart-pounding terror. Notably, the movie captivated audiences with its ingenious blend of puppetry, young actress Amie Donald, and visual effects to form an unforgettable doll character. To top it off, the ensemble, spearheaded by Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, delivers a moving performance that’s hard to look away from.

The phenomenon known as M3GAN maintains its grip on the genre by employing clever marketing tactics, keeping it top-of-mind for a while. From the viral hallway dance challenge on social media to actors in costume at amusement parks, M3GAN demonstrates its ability to stay current and relevant. In the coming days, fans won’t have to wait any longer for more of this chilling creation as M3GAN 2.0 is slated for release in theaters on June 27, 2025. This upcoming franchise consistently showcases why it endures the test of time, while Subservience may not be able to achieve the same longevity. You can stream M3GAN on Starz, and Subservience on Netflix.

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2024-12-12 07:01