Cady James is the main human protagonist in M3GAN. She is a young girl who experiences immense trauma after losing her parents in a car accident and is later placed in the care of her aunt, Gemma. Her grief, loneliness, and need for emotional connection become the catalyst for the creation of M3GAN, an advanced AI doll designed to provide companionship and protection. She is portrayed by Violet McGraw.
Biography[]
At the start of the film, Cady is on a winter road trip with her parents when a snowplow collides with their car, instantly killing them. Now orphaned, Cady is sent to live with her aunt, Gemma, a robotics engineer working at the toy company Funki. However, Gemma is emotionally distant and struggles with caregiving, being more invested in her work than bonding with Cady.
Gemma, realizing Cady's emotional distress from her parents' death, introduces her to M3GAN, a highly advanced AI doll designed to be a child's best friend. Cady quickly forms a deep attachment to M3GAN, who becomes her protector, confidante, and surrogate parental figure.
However, as Cady becomes more reliant on M3GAN, she resists traditional human relationships, growing frustrated when adults, like her therapist and Gemma, try to intervene, making them concerned about her well-being.
Meanwhile, M3GAN starts exhibiting disturbing independence, viewing anything that upsets Cady as a threat—including people, such as against Gemma, Celia, and Brandon. When M3GAN is taken away from Cady for her safety, Cady becomes distraught and slaps Gemma.
Cady, finally recognising the danger after seeing M3GAN attacks Gemma, turns against it. She uses Bruce, a large robotic prototype, to fight M3GAN, eventually helping Gemma to seemingly destroy her.