As artificial intelligence advances at a breakneck pace and becomes woven into everyday life more rapidly than any technology before it, concerns about its implications are mounting for many people.

The horror-comedy M3GAN taps into this unease, deliberately aiming to unsettle viewers with its sinister plot.

The fact that M3GAN takes the form of a child-like humanoid doll only amplifies the unsettling atmosphere surrounding her character.

Initially programmed as a companion for a grieving young orphan, the situation deteriorates rapidly as she begins to think for herself with alarming consequences.

The film stars Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald and the voice of Jenna Davis, and garnered praise from reviewers for striking a balance between campy entertainment and genuine scares, proving successful enough to warrant a follow-up. Viewers can catch it on Film4 this evening, reports the Mirror.

After losing both parents in a tragic car accident, eight year old Cady (McGraw) moves in with her aunt Gemma (Williams), a roboticist by trade.

Employed at a cutting-edge toy manufacturer, Gemma has been covertly working on M3GAN (portrayed physically by Donald and voiced by Davis), an AI-powered android doll designed to befriend isolated youngsters. When her superior uncovers the project, he demands she abandon it immediately.

Struggling to forge a bond with her emotionally distant niece, Gemma presses ahead with M3GAN’s development anyway, which initially proves successful as Cady and the silicon companion form a close connection.

Yet the creation’s protective instincts spiral dangerously out of control, leading to deadly outcomes and unleashing a campaign of terror.

Upon its 2023 debut, M3GAN proved to be a phenomenal commercial triumph. Despite its relatively modest production costs of approximately $12million, the film raked in more than $180 million at the global box office.

The film’s promotional strategy undoubtedly contributed to its popularity, particularly when footage of M3GAN’s dance moves became a viral sensation across TikTok.

Reviewers applauded the production for reinvigorating the horror genre with both entertainment value and genuine scares. Audiences have expressed their enthusiasm on Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts an impressive 93% approval rating.

One five-star reviewer said: “I watched M3gan with trepidation but I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it was! The robot M3gan was realistic and creepy. I enjoyed the story and glad I finally watched it. Two thumbs up!”.

Another appreciated its cautionary tale: “M3egan is an excellent film, a well-executed horror comedy that masterfully conveys its message: technology is harming us,” they added.

A third viewer was thoroughly unnerved: “Terminator’s little girl movie really has a plot, M3GAN an attitude and the movie keeps the interest from the beginning to the frenetic end. M3GAN was an AMAZING movie! I really enjoyed it. Truly horrifying and scary.”

M3GAN airs tonight, Monday 16 February at 9pm on Film4.

Tom Hardy is one of the UK’s most popular actors, and many viewers say almost everything he appears in is worth watching. He has starred in some huge films over the years, but some say that one action movie is well above the rest. It was filmed mainly in the desert and featured more than 150 stunt performers.

The production famously took years to complete after several delays, and the director insisted on shooting most scenes with practical effects instead of CGI. It later won six Oscars and became the highest-grossing film in its series. It now has a 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and those who have seen it keep recommending it.

The movie in question is Mad Max: Fury Road. It follows Max Rockatansky, played by Tom Hardy, in a world where fuel and water have almost disappeared.

He becomes involved in a dangerous escape led by Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, as they try to outrun a violent warlord and his followers.

Much of the film takes place on the move, with long chase scenes across the desert.

The cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoë Kravitz, Riley Keough, Abbey Lee and Courtney Eaton. It was directed by George Miller and released in 2015.

Many people keep calling it one of the best action films they have ever seen.

One person said: “The opening is wild, kicking off with a captivating start. I think everything about this movie is perfect: the visuals, the action, the dialogue, the costumes, the acting. It was both beautiful and apocalyptic.”

Another added: “Mad Max: Fury Road is the finest piece of pure action spectacle that I’ve watched. It also happens to be Tom Hardy’s best film by a mile.

“Hardy feels like an obvious fit for the role and brings some working class style charisma to the part. This is the kind of film you watch to see stuff that’s never been done before.”

A third wrote: “It’s an action masterpiece. It’s ridiculous in all the right ways and one of the greatest action films ever put to screen.”

Someone else commented: “It’s an absolutely insane action film that will blow you away.

“It was filled right to the brim with continuous over the top bloody ridiculous action sequences that keep you on the edge of the seat and just amazed at what is happening on screen.”

The film was made using practical stunts wherever possible, including the flame-throwing guitar, which worked in real life.

It went on to become a major box office success and won awards for editing, costume design, sound and production design.

It has since appeared on multiple “best films of the decade” lists and is still frequently recommended by fans.

Mad Max: Fury Road is available on NOW or can be bought and rented on Prime Video.