Over the course of his career, director James Wan (“Aquaman”) has become a force to be reckoned with in the horror film genre. Through properties such as the “Saw” franchise, Wan has shown a knack for thinking outside the box when crafting stories, as well as demonstrating unique ways to include an abundance of gore in his films. Given the relatively successful track record of Wan’s films, his most recent project, “Malignant,” may come as a disappointment to viewers because of its frequent missteps.
“Malignant” follows Madison Lake (Annabelle Wallis, “Boss Level”), a woman who, after experiencing a head injury, sees visions of people being murdered by the same menacing figure. Though she initially dismisses what she witnesses as dreams, Lake soon realizes that these events are, in fact, reality.
While it displays elements of originality and unpredictability through both its premise and subsequent twists and turns, “Malignant” ultimately falls short of meeting the high standards set by Wan’s more popular projects.
A major factor which keeps the film from reaching its full potential is the early reveal of who the killer is. While their true identity may come as a surprise to viewers, the decision to unmask them early on causes the film to quickly jump the shark. The spoiled mystery also causes it to delve into generic horror film territory in order to compensate for the potentially suspenseful moments which it squanders.
Though some satisfactory moments may present themselves, the film’s acting and dialogue often come off as comedic because of their over-the-top nature. While past horror films such as the “Evil Dead” series have achieved success because of their campy tone and performances, “Malignant’s” apparent desire to be taken seriously renders its exaggerated performances and writing to seem unintentional rather than stylistic. As a result, fans hoping for a serious, high quality horror film may be disappointed by what they see. However, those satisfied by an ironically funny output may be in for a good time.
Despite the laughable deliveries of her castmates, Wallis miraculously derives an amiable performance from the material provided. Portraying a woman who has undergone significant physical and mental turmoil in a short timespan, the actress salvages some of the film’s wasted emotional and suspenseful potential.
One of the movie’s major redeeming qualities is its overabundance of violence and gore. Though neither the killer or his deeds are particularly frightening, their originality and absurdity allow viewers to behold some eye-catching sights. For those able to stomach what they see, the visuals may spark enough interest to help them look past the film’s negative aspects.
For less demanding horror fans, “Malignant” may meet expectations for its gory presentation and bizarre concept. However, those hankering for a more sophisticated and blood-curdling product are better off foregoing it. On the bright side, the film’s unintentionally humorous moments may prompt viewers to appreciate it for ironic reasons and thus frequently revisit it in the future. Otherwise, its inability to fully capitalize on its intriguing ideas will cause it to soon fade into obscurity as an unsatisfactory horror film.
Image from Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube
