Feature Film
M3GAN
2022
Filmed In
Auckland
Towns & Areas
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) campus
The Story
The viral, sci-fi horror sensation that took the world by storm. A brilliant roboticist builds a life-like, AI-powered doll designed to be a child's greatest companion — only for the doll to develop a terrifying, overprotective streak of lethal independence.
The Stars
Allison Williams and Violet McGraw. Amie Donald's physical performance as the doll itself became the film's most talked-about element on release.
Behind the Lens
Gerard Johnstone. Johnstone built the film's tone around a slow-burn tension rather than relying purely on jump scares.
Why NZ?
Produced by horror mogul Jason Blum and Kiwi icon James Wan, the film took full advantage of Auckland's modern suburban architecture and tech spaces. Local spots like the Auckland University of Technology stood in for the high-tech toy corporation. Auckland's tech and university precincts have quietly become a reliable stand-in for glossy, near-future corporate settings in more than one production. The film's suburban setting did much of its unsettling work simply by looking utterly ordinary.
On Set
Amie Donald, who physically performed the role of M3GAN, was a 10-year-old discovered, according to the production, "at a farm down the road" from filming. Her now-famous viral dance sequence was reportedly unscripted — crew have referred to it as "3am madness" that happened during a late-night take. The ordinary, everyday setting is part of what made the film's tension land so effectively.
Legacy
An unexpected box office hit on release, the film's viral marketing and social media presence led directly to a sequel, M3GAN 2.0.
Full in depth information, stories, anecdotes and fascinating facts of every movie in the regional guides.
Get The Full Guide
Secure Your Founding Member Access All 10 Region Guides, All 45 Movies