"M3GAN Re-Release Offers Interactive 'Second Screen' and Live Chatbot"

Top horror studio Blumhouse is gearing up to celebrate its 15th anniversary in a thrilling way by bringing the 2022 hit, M3GAN, back to theaters. This move is set ahead of the much-anticipated sequel's release and includes a limited theatrical engagement with a twist. This twist, however, has sparked some controversy as it encourages the use of smartphones in theaters.

As part of its Halfway to Halloween initiative, Shudder is organizing one-night-only screenings of M3GAN, along with Ma and Annabelle. These screenings will feature Meta's innovative "Movie Mate" technology. This technology allows audience members to interact with M3GAN herself through a chatbot and offers second screen capabilities, showcasing exclusive content in real-time.

"Movie Mate is exclusively available to moviegoers in a theater and can be activated by DM'ing the Instagram account @M3GAN," Blumhouse explained in a report published by Variety. "The entire experience is designed to leverage Meta's capabilities to enhance and elevate the 'second screen' viewing experience, generating excitement ahead of the release of M3GAN 2.0 on June 27."

The studio also mentioned that fans can look forward to sneak peeks, exclusive recorded messages from directors and talent involved in the films, and surprise special appearances in select markets. While this innovative approach aims to boost engagement, it raises concerns about the impact on the traditional theatrical experience. Only time will tell how fans react to this unique experience, but one hopes it won't become a standard for regular screenings anytime soon.

The M3GAN screening is scheduled for April 30 in various theaters nationwide, followed by Annabelle on May 7 and Ma on May 14. M3GAN 2.0 will hit U.S. theaters on June 27.