She’s not just a toy. She’s part of the family. And she’s going to protect her best friend at all costs. Meet M3GAN, the killer star of a new horror flick from producer James Wan.

“I get accused of being the master of killer doll movies,” says Wan in a new behind-the-scenes look at the film. Wan developed the story along with Akela Cooper, who wrote the screenplay.

Watch M3GAN come to life in the new clip below.

M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to.

When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House), Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems—a decision that will have unimaginable consequences.

“I think people need to be reminded of the fact that this technology is here,” says director Gerard Johnstone. “We’re not that far from something like M3GAN existing. And that is pretty unsettling.”

The film also stars Ronny Chieng (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Brian Jordan Alvarez (Will & Grace), Jen Van Epps (Cowboy Bebop), Lori Dungey (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, extended edition) and Stephane Garneau-Monten (Straight Forward). Jason Blum of Blumhouse also produces with Wan.

You can meet M3GAN in theaters starting January 6.

So, will you make this doll your new best friend? Let us know in the comments below. (But remember… the alternative is making her your enemy.)

Keep Reading: