M3GAN | Ending Explained

In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for M3GAN, we will explain the film’s ending.

Cast

• M3GAN – Amie Donald
• Voice of M3GAN – Jenna Davis
• Gemma – Allison Williams
• Cady – Violet McGraw
• Tess – Jen Van Epps
• Cole – Brian Jordan Alvarez
• David – Ronny Chieng
• Kurt – Stephane Garneau-Morten 
• Lydia – Amy Usherwood
• Celia – Lori Dungey

The end of M3GAN explained

Recap

M3GAN’s conclusion begins the day of the toy’s big reveal. Gemma finally prioritizes Cady and leaves Funki headquarters rather than being present for what was supposed to be the biggest day of her career. M3GAN, of course, goes crazy and flees the facility to try and regain stewardship over Cady. During her escape, M3GAN slays two people, one of which is the Funki CEO. 

Back at Gemma’s house, Gemma and Cady actually connect as pseudo-mom and pseudo-daughter. Then M3GAN shows up and attempts to redefine the power dynamics, ready to render Gemma totally incapacitated and become her creator’s palliative care nurse. Cady shows up, uses Bruce to fight M3GAN, and wins. As the two leave the house, police arrive, along with Tess and Cole. 

The final moments show Gemma’s smart home system activate on its own. 

Meaning

This is a lot of narrative and thematic conclusions. M3GAN’s main themes deal with grief, work-life balance, active parenting vs. reliance on technology, as well as the dangers of AI. When Gemma chooses Cady over her job, it’s a turning point for her character. She’s present for Cady rather than relying on technology to distract. Cady responds to this genuine effort, feeling she finally has another person to rely on for the first time since the death of her parents. 

M3GAN, at this point, embodies Gemma’s work, technology’s role in child rearing, and AI. Having Cady and Gemma team up to defeat M3GAN symbolizes their newfound bond and rejection of everything the toy represents. 

Of course, M3GAN isn’t gone completely. Throughout the movie, she had demonstrated an ability to hack other technology. It seems at some point she infiltrated Gemma’s home system and managed to back-up her consciousness. There’s the practical view of this, which is: the filmmakers wanted to set up a sequel. There’s also the thematic view—the threat M3GAN represented isn’t so easily thwarted. Technology will continue to represent progress and danger. It’s just a matter of when and in what form. 

What are your thoughts?

Is there more to the ending that you think should be part of the Colossus Movie Guide for M3GAN? Leave your thoughts below and we’ll consider adding them.