Gremlins 3 (2025) – A Review of Chaos, Nostalgia, and Mayhem

Introduction

After decades of anticipation, Gremlins 3 (2025) has finally arrived, bringing back the mischievous, destructive creatures that terrorized Kingston Falls and New York in the 1980s. Directed by Chris Columbus (returning to the franchise after writing the original 1984 film), this long-awaited sequel attempts to recapture the darkly comedic horror that made Gremlins a cult classic while updating it for modern audiences.

But does Gremlins 3 live up to the legacy of its predecessors, or does it fall victim to the same pitfalls as many belated sequels? This review dives into the film’s story, tone, effects, performances, and overall impact.

Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)

Set in the present day, Gremlins 3 follows a new generation of characters who accidentally unleash the Gremlins once again—this time in a high-tech, AI-driven metropolis. The story centers around:

Ethan Chen (Ryan Potter), a tech-savvy teenager who inherits a mysterious box from his grandfather, containing none other than Gizmo.
Kate Hollister (Sophia Lillis), a cynical journalist investigating urban legends, who stumbles upon the Gremlin outbreak.
Mr. Wing’s Grandson (BD Wong), now running an antique shop, who serves as the film’s link to the original lore.

When the classic rules are broken (water after midnight, bright lights, and feeding after midnight—though now complicated by modern LED lighting and 24/7 food delivery apps), chaos erupts. The Gremlins adapt to the digital age, wreaking havoc on smart cities, hacking systems, and even spawning new, tech-enhanced variants.

Tone: Balancing Horror, Comedy, and Nostalgia

One of the biggest challenges for Gremlins 3 was maintaining the original’s perfect blend of horror and dark comedy. The 1984 film was surprisingly grim (remember the blender scene?), while Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) leaned into absurdist satire.

This installment tries to strike a middle ground:

The Horror: Some genuinely tense moments recapture the original’s menace, particularly in scenes where Gremlins hunt victims in dark, claustrophobic spaces.
The Comedy: The film pokes fun at modern tech culture, with Gremlins hijacking social media, causing self-driving car crashes, and even manipulating deepfake videos.
The Nostalgia: Callbacks to the first two films are plentiful but not overbearing. Seeing Gizmo again is a delight, and a few surprise cameos (including Zach Galligan in a small role) will please longtime fans.

That said, the tone occasionally wobbles—some scenes feel too cartoonish, while others try too hard to be edgy.

Visual Effects: Practical vs. CGI

One of the biggest concerns fans had was whether Gremlins 3 would abandon practical effects for CGI. Thankfully, the film delivers a mix:

Gizmo and the Classic Gremlins are mostly practical puppets, giving them the same tactile, creepy charm as before.
New Gremlin Variants (including a cybernetic “Tech-Gremlin” and a swarm of nano-Gremlins) use CGI, which sometimes clashes with the practical effects but allows for more dynamic action.
The Mayhem Scenes are a highlight—imagine Gremlins overrunning a smart home, turning drones against humans, and causing a viral TikTok riot.

While the CGI isn’t always seamless, the commitment to practical effects where it counts keeps the spirit of the original alive.

Performances: Who Stands Out?

Ryan Potter as Ethan brings a likable, everyman energy, though his character isn’t as memorable as Billy Peltzer.
Sophia Lillis as Kate is a standout, channeling a mix of Phoebe Cates’ skepticism and modern snark.
BD Wong is a welcome presence, bridging the old and new lore.
Gizmo remains the heart of the franchise—his innocent yet brave personality shines once again.

The human characters are serviceable, but let’s be honest—people come for the Gremlins, not the humans.

Themes: A Modern Spin on Classic Warnings

Like its predecessors, Gremlins 3 plays with deeper themes beneath the chaos:

Technology Run Amok: The film satirizes society’s over-reliance on AI and automation, with the Gremlins becoming the ultimate glitch in the system.
Corporate Greed: A subplot involves a tech mogul (played by Giancarlo Esposito) who tries to weaponize the Gremlins, echoing Gremlins 2’s corporate satire.
Nostalgia vs. Progress: The film asks whether some things (like Gizmo’s old-school charm) should remain unchanged in a rapidly evolving world.

These themes aren’t explored as deeply as they could be, but they add a layer of relevance to the madness.

**The Verdict: Is Gremlins 3 Worth It?**

The Good:

✔️ A fun, chaotic return to the franchise’s roots.
✔️ Gizmo and the practical effects are fantastic.
✔️ Clever modern twists on Gremlin mayhem.
✔️ Some genuinely funny and intense moments.

The Not-So-Good:

❌ The tone occasionally feels uneven.
❌ Human characters are mostly forgettable.
❌ A few CGI-heavy scenes feel out of place.

Final Rating: 7.5/10

Gremlins 3 doesn’t surpass the original, but it’s a worthy sequel that delivers the anarchic fun fans expect. If you loved the first two films, you’ll likely enjoy this—just don’t expect a masterpiece.

Should You Watch It?

For Fans of the Original: Absolutely. It’s a love letter with enough new twists.
For Newcomers: You might miss some references, but it’s still a wild ride.
For Horror-Comedy Lovers: If you like Ghoulies, Critters, or The Killer Tomatoes, this fits right in.

Final Thought: Gremlins 3 is like a gremlin itself—messy, unpredictable, and a little rough around the edges, but undeniably entertaining. Just remember: don’t feed it after midnight.

Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect, like comparisons to the first two films or predictions for a potential Gremlins 4