(** out of 5)
This movie was a trip for so many reasons. While it feels like it's trying to be something original, the movie has a hard time finding its purpose.
Malignant opens with a dark and scary reality. Pregnant Madison is in a physically abusive relationship, and it's clear that this isn't her first time being attacked by her partner, Jake. An intruder intervenes on the altercation, but it leaves our protagonist in a tragic situation.
Enter the DETECTIVES. Based on the report of an intruder attacking the not-so-happy family, we are introduced to your stereotypical, crime-series detectives. Even the opening dialogue between the two of them feels like something on an episode of CSI, where Detective White complains about having to be called into work at four in the morning. Her partner, Detective Shaw, acknowledges her comment, but doesn't offer anything snippy in return. The detectives' relationship does develop throughout the movie, but it is interrupted by the "what-type-of-movie-am-I-watching" mentality. Let me go into that part.
Malignant is catered as a scary movie. Just by looking at the poster, and knowing the director, you'd expect horror. But this film tries to go in too many directions. It has drama, comedy, horror, action, and even sprinkles of romantic connections. The villain somehow knows how to fight like a character in The Matrix movies, and there are fun action scenes in which this is done. But these action scenes draw away from the central theme of the movie.
The main character has visions of murders as they happen, and these scenes are quite thrilling. Malignant strays from the typical horror films when it becomes clear early on that it is not a "what" the detectives are chasing, but "whom." I will say that when the true villain is revealed, it shifted away from action and back to horror. (Just wait for the jail scene). However, then the director, James Wan, takes the audience immediately back to The Matrix again.
In my true movie review fashion, I do loathe horror movies with open endings. Thankfully, Malignant does give closure and only leads a slight breadcrumb for the possible return of the villain.
All in all, this film was a struggle to watch, only because I couldn't determine what kind of film I was watching. The horror was entertaining. The action was alright. But the two did not blend well together. With fall approaching, this film will most likely be largely seen with virtually no horror films in theaters at this time. Is it really that scary? In my opinion, no. There was a lot of gore, but no intestines or anything. I think this film could be watched by someone who might be afraid of most scary movies.
Can this film be skipped? I would say yes. If you are a die-hard horror fan, you will probably watch it to just to see it. While there are a few twists, none of them were shocking enough that you'll want to discuss them.
It is currently available on HBO Max for a limited time, and also available in theaters.
