With “M3GAN 2.0” scheduled for release this summer, I figured we might get an early tease of what’s to come in the sequel — or, if we were really lucky, a reward-the-faithful switcheroo, the way Ari Aster did by sneak-premiering “Beau Is Afraid” to Alamo Drafthouse audiences who thought they’d bought tickets to a fan screening of “Midsommar.”
Alas, this was a just straightforward re-release of the original PG-13 cut, with one enticing twist: Meta had picked “M3GAN” to launch the company’s new Movie Mate technology, wherein audiences are encouraged to use their smartphones to interact with a M3GAN-themed chatbot during the movie.
That’s basically my worst nightmare — but one that might potentially enhance what was to be my first viewing of a horror flick that directly engages with the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. So why not give it a try?
I bought a ticket for a seat in the back row, because even if “second screen” behavior was explicitly sanctioned, I didn’t want to annoy the people sitting around me with the light of my phone. Meanwhile, my position gave me a clear view of the entire audience … and guess what: No one else took out their devices during the film. Not once.