Movie Review: Malignant

6/10

A bonkers and preposterous thriller that’s also a stylishly good time.

Having director James Wan attached to this film gave me false expectations. The Conjuring and Insidious are deftly crafted nail biters. They showcased Wan’s mastery of suspense, and I expected more of that with Malignant.

The plot centers on a woman who’s head trauma seems to awaken a demonic entity from her past, Gabriel. Gabriel knows her and they share an uncanny connection that leaves the audience wondering: are they the same person? Are they siblings? Is Gabriel the spirit of someone our protagonist killed?

Although this sounds like it could be genuinely horrific, Malignant isn’t remotely scary, nor is it remotely believable. At times it’s absurd enough to be laughable.

Yet it’s also visually stylish and often exciting. Wan seems to have shunned suspense here, but he made Malignant overwrought with gothic visuals and captivating action sequences.

The ending is too over the top to take seriously. But at the same time, it’s macabre fun.

There is some sort of Freudian psychoanalysis going on in the background of the film. It’s a little too Hollywood to go deep into that. But it’s there nonetheless.

I say just go along for the ride and don’t take it seriously. Malignant is a violent but rollicking good time.