First look at new horror thriller from the minds behind Insidious and The Conjuring

The minds who brought us Insidious and The Conjuring have just dropped a first look at their latest creation M3gan, and it looks like it's about to put all the other haunted dolls to shame.

M3gan will tell the story of a genius life-like doll that's been created to be a child's best friend, and eight-year-old Cady is about to be the first lucky user - what could go wrong!?

This film trailer really is one of the creepiest things we've seen so far this spooky season, but don't just take our word for it. See for yourself:

James Wan, the filmmaker behind the Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring franchises, and Blumhouse, the production team behind the Halloween films, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man are teaming up to bring you the brand new face of terror - and she's more unsettling than ever.

A synopsis of the film reads: "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, 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 eight-year-old niece, Cady, 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."

The film stars Allison Williams (Get Out) and Violet McGraw (The Haunting of Hill House) as Gemma and Cady.

It also features 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).

Universal Pictures

As soon as the teaser trailer dropped today (11 October), horror fans flocked to the comment section to discuss what could be the creepiest film of the year.

"As a Chucky fan I’m living for a new doll in town that’s actually evil! Not a just a spirit possessing a doll… looking at you Annabelle!," wrote one viewer.

"Omg why have we got to wait until January! This looks like such a good film," commented a second.

Some couldn't help but notice the use of Taylor Swift's 'It's Nice To Have A Friend' in the trailer, turning the sweet song into a haunting melody.

"I did NOT expect to hear a Taylor Swift song as a horror movie soundtrack," read one comment. "I must say I'm pleasantly surprised because it oddly fits so well"

A second noted: "The use of 'It’s Nice To Have A Friend' here is genuinely creative. Like, this wholesome little song actually has some genuinely creepy vibes when used in this context."

M3gan arrives in cinemas on 13 January 2023.