Allison Williams (‘M3GAN’): ‘I love children, I always wanted to be a mother’

Co-starring in your first film is already a bit tricky, but if moreover it’s a Jordan Peele film (although it was also his first feature film) then the challenge becomes herculean. However, the role of Allison Williams in “Let me out” the film starring Daniel Kaluuya was highly appreciated, to the point that the actress chained projects such as “Perfection” or the series “Patrick Melrose”. Now, Williams returns to the genre in which she debuted as a leading lady ‘M3GAN’, Blumhouse novelty that promises to add another iconic character to the story of terror with the robotic doll.

Williams plays Gemma, a tech expert: “I prepared all the robotics, engineering, artificial intelligence part, talking to many women in the industry because I had no idea about the subject”admits the american actress, “I can barely do easy math, I’m really bad at it”. This was a problem for him when tackling the role: “The idea of ​​making someone an expert on a subject made me do a lot of research. Sure, I didn’t learn any of that, but I came to understand how their brain worked, the decisions they made, or how they saw the world. which is very different from how I see it. Because I love children, I love playing with them and I’ve always wanted to be a mother.. This, which is my strongest part, is her weakest part in Gemma, so we are quite opposite people”.

For his part, Gerard Johnstone, director of the film, wanted to highlight the eccentric design of M3GAN. With the body of a girl and a robotic voice, what is most striking is the CGI face. “We work a lot with the animatronic design team”says the director, “Like with Weta Workshop, from New Zealand. We work a lot on her looks, her hair, her clothes…”. It wasn’t easy to figure out what was more appropriate, according to Johnstone: “It was a long and complicated process. It was impossible to predict what would work, but I wanted it to be as realistic as possible, beautiful and sinister at the same time.”.

Williams wanted to highlight why he returns to the horror genre and what attracts him so much: “I think the psychological horror and thriller genre allows you to talk about serious things, but not so serious that it feels like homework. It deals with serious topics but just like it has scary moments, it also has funny moments. It changed my way of seeing the genre since I don’t watch horror movies because I was very scared. Also, I think the directors can capture their vision because it’s still a slightly experimental genre.”. Just like Williams, Johnstone also made his industry debut by directing another horror film, but this time about haunted houses: ‘Housebound’. This time it turns into horror in the form of science fiction: “I like that horror movies aren’t just about people being stabbed, I like that they tell something. Both have a mother and a ‘daughter’ who come together under terrible circumstances. I like to tell stories that have heart and humor. Fortunately, this and”.

How is M3GAN different?

The Evil Doll figure has been used many times since “Chucky the Evil Doll” opened the season. For this reason, perhaps “M3GAN” had a hard time distinguishing itself from those other similar proposals; although both the director and the actress are clear about it. “It helped us see everything that existed to create our own space”Johnstone says, “Something like what ‘Ex Machina’ did with that beautiful CGI recreation and Alicia Vikander. We were trying to differentiate ourselves and I felt that the most effective would be for M3GAN to look like a vampire. That he was very still and that she spoke through her movements and his gaze”.

For his part, Williams revealed how Akela Cooper, the screenwriter, and James Wan, the producer, have christened this idea: “A unique hybrid between ‘Terminator’ and ‘Annabelle'”. Additionally, the actress was surprised by how quickly audiences connected with this sinister robotic girl: “I hope people find it new, but since the trailer came out it seems like everyone got it, and started popping out memes and dancing”.

‘M3GAN’ will hit theaters later January 4th.