Malignant (I) (2021) User Reviews

I was entertained

[gaarauzumaki_992 · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

Definitely not a 10/10 like some reviewers claim, but ABSOLUTELY not a 1/10 either.

25 minutes too long, some cheesy moments, but ultimately I personally was entertained. Was I scared? No. Did I have moment "ew that's NASTY"? Oh yeah.

All in all, it's a solid 7 from me and a fun way to spend a free evening if you have nothing better to do.

At times it feels like it's intentionally bad - a bizarre experience

[jtindahouse · 5/10 · 13 September 2021]

James Wan is one of the best horror film makers working today. It breaks my heart when he makes a film like 'Furious 7' or 'Aquaman' because it is such a waste of his talents. I have been excited for 'Malignant' for a very long time now due to the pandemic. I finally got to see it tonight, and I'm very disappointed to say it was a big let down.

This was a really bizarre viewing experience for me. It felt like Wan was intentionally trying to make a bad film at times. There are moments that are so shockingly campy and unnatural it ruins entire scenes of the movie. Also the theme music was utterly bizarre. It was so over-the-top and unsubtle and often played in moments that were completely not calling for it.

The movie tries to pull things together later on in the piece with some interesting reveals, but by then too much damage is already done. There is also a shocking scene near the end which feels like it was pulled straight out of 'The Matrix'. A character suddenly becomes superhuman in their ability to move and it makes no sense at all.

I just don't know what happened here. Was Wan so desperate to create something unique and original that he decided this was worth a try? Possibly. Even the best don't get it right every time. 5/10.

Absolutely f'n bonkers

[cardsrock · 5/10 · 19 September 2021]

I don't think anything can prepare you for what this is. I suspected there would be something wild afoot, but even that didn't prepare me. What happens is actually pretty insane and creative, but the execution of it is so ridiculous that you just can't take it seriously.

Given how cheesy this movie was at the start and knowing James Wan was the director, I figured they had to be in on it and doing it intentionally. But as the film progresses, you realize they're actually playing it completely straight and it's honestly just that bad. This movie really isn't scary either which was surprising.

The camerawork is big highlight and the over-the-top 80s music was pretty fun. You can tell Wan was trying to make a throwback here, but he forgot the self-awareness that's necessary for movies like this. I know some people are saying the camp is intentional, but even if it is, it could have been executed far better than this.

I will give Wan credit for creating a truly original horror film that actually surprised me. Whether you like it or not, we should applaud more filmmaking that takes chances and doesn't completely give away what a movie is about beforehand.

Yes silly and gross, but I liked it.

[dajaqu-768-129230 · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

Liked this film. It was interesting and very weirdly original but daft in that comic book horror way. I liked the way the director captured that vibe. Most scenes looked like something out of 80's music video and the slight flirtations between two of the characters was funny and cute, which was definitely a feature of films from that error. The concept itself was great, reminiscent of lots of the body horror greats of the past. I also liked the idea that current Seattle is build on top of an old abandoned perfectly preserved Seattle. If this is true (??) I definitely want to go there.

One thing I would say is as much as I value others opinions I think its a very worrying trend when people come out and say others are bots or payed just because they don't agree with them. Please accept other people exist and yes they do have separate opinions to you. Unless of course they're a homicidal maniac growing out the back of your head.

I feel like a lot of people didn't get the joke.

[straubingerm7 · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

This movie is a gradual ramp up to a fun and over the top ridiculous finale. It's not trying to be played seriously (although the trailers would make you think otherwise) so if you go in expecting a serious horror movie, you're going to be disappointed. It is, however, a very visually interesting film as James Wan stuff always. If you don't like camp and gore it's probably not for you but if you are in the mood for a silly and insane ride with a good deal of laughs (for the most part intented) check this one out.

80's horror is back! For better and for worse...

[glennmeerten06 · 7/10 · 1 September 2021]

James Wan has been one of the most interesting voices in modern horror. With his latest venture, Wan reaffirms his grasp on the genre yet again. Malignant is an absurd concoction of all the best and cheesiest ingredients of 80's slasher goodness. Complete with a unique, signature murder weapon and a soon to be iconic killer.

Madison finds herself in a horrifying predicament after a brutal murder takes place in her own home. She's being haunted by a killer as well as visions of his future victims. What follows is a disturbing mystery with a lot more camp than you might expect.

Wan's direction keeps the film engaging and genuinely terrifying. The horror scènes are marinaded in Wan's signature style and they're all the better for it. He even manages to put some impressive action sequences on the screen. His work on Aquaman has clearly been fruitful.

The score is a mixed bag. I found the compositions to be more distracting than compelling. It's unfortunate because his scores have been one of my favorite elements of Wan's other franchises like Insidious or The Conjuring.

Another issue I had with the film is its tone. Malignant is a love letter to 80's horror but it can't seem to mesh this homage with the serious modern subject matters and tone. It's not always clear to me, what is supposed to be comedic and what is unintentionally absurd. Especially the film's conclusion might divide audiences. I found it to be hilariously absurd in a good way. Others might find it insultingly stupid. Either way, the film is ambitious and bold. After the underwhelming Conjuring outing, Malignant provides some much appreciated James Wan horror. That's always a win in my book.

Make of that as you will.

Undoubtedly the greatest comedy movie ever produced

[jggleerup · 3/10 · 12 September 2021]

Me and my friend went in to watch this unrivaled masterpiece together, and came out with eight pack abs from the non stop laughing. Astonishingly hilarious James Wan you ABSOLUTE genius, 10/10 cured my depression.

Murder Mystery 80s Slasher Kung Fu Sci Fi Body Horror B-Mobie Splatter Comedy

[kuner-59029 · 9/10 · 11 September 2021]

This film is bonkers. I felt like I was watching a Giallo or 80s low budget B-movie if it were competently made and given a massive budget.

This is a horror movie the way they used to be. Unpredictable, insane, gross-out, freak out stuff. It's not a movie made by a committee, it's not the usual haunted doll or spooky house movie where the narrative grinds to a halt as you wait for the inevitable loud noise jump scare when someone looks into a mirror or closes a door.

And it's not the joyless, ugly torture porn that has plagued the genre in recent decades either. Nor is it a wink-wink self-referential Scream type parody either.

Malignant plays it relatively straight for much of its runtime, presenting a genuinely intriguing mystery and a scary, seemingly supernatural killer.

But when the third act happens (you'll know when it does), the film goes completely off the rails. In one of the most over the top sequences ever, Malignant embraces its silly concept and goes all out action gore-fest. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and ended up laughing my butt off. The last time a movie completely flipped the script like this was From Dusk Till Dawn. Here the twist actually makes sense in terms of the narrative. The story - while stupid - is surprisingly coherent.

That's the secret sauce to many horror classics. Take a dumb, disgusting or bonkers concept, and fully commit to it. It may not please focus groups, but it's how you make a cult movie that remains memorable.

What a breath of fresh air. Thank you, James Wan. This was beautiful.

A Fun Time

[dylanlbasham · 7/10 · 13 September 2021]

Malignant might be overflowing with story elements, but it almost never lets you know it. This is one of those films that's best seen as a fun watch on a Saturday night and boy did it succeed at that. It has a certain wacky style that keeps you invested in a plot that's almost impossible to guess the ending from the start. Despite the questions it leaves, Malignant will leave you feeling satisfied nevertheless.

Have people been paid to write good reviews??

[lm4-883-681479 · 1/10 · 28 September 2021]

I'm so confused by the 10/10 reviews, this was one of the worst films I have ever seen, we nearly left...

Spectacular final act

[fhshsztd · 7/10 · 2 September 2021]

The movie really found it's footing in the last 40 min, it evolved into a 80s slasher homage with a modern twist. This money has an iconic villain and some incredibly well shot scenes.

I say give this one a shot and don't judge it until the final shot. I don't think it'll be for everyone with it's odd music choices and whackiness.

Good But...

[zskenedy · 5/10 · 30 September 2021]

1. Why did her husband see an invisible person on the sofa?

2. How did the joints of her arms and legs turn upside down?

3. What was the relationship between parasitic twin and electricity? :)))))

Not as bad as everyone says

[leestoych · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

Look, this isn't a spectacular movie however it did have some decent moments. The camera work was pretty good and from a technical standpoint I felt like it was solid. Some of the shots looked stunning. The soundtrack was something that stuck with me, another positive element, was eerie and worked well with the atmosphere of the movie.

Yes there were some plot holes and moments where you laugh in a bad way or sigh. As well as some key plot points that were not fleshed out or even explained at all.

All in all was not horrible and it was not amazing. 7/10 is an average movie, and Malignant was such.

James Wan makes a troma film!

[giger_fan · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

This feels like it was a dare. This is his worst film and the best Troma film at the same time! Goodbye Toxic Crusader and Kabuki Cop! Hello Malignant!

If WANT OTHER DIRECTOR had made this, it would have been a dumpster fire. You can lull yourself into a catatonic state and enjoy the acting and delivery, but then if you stop yourself and pay close attention to the dialog, you say to yourself, "Wait, what? That was stupid."

But he pulled it off!

Lol!!

[denzellj85 · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

This was the silliest movie ever!! I enjoyed the movie as is. Don't take it too serious or you will be disappointed. Gabriel ran amok and it was hilarious. From my point of view I would consider it a comedic horror.

Not the worst.. but really bad.

[larmo · 3/10 · 2 October 2021]

I'm old, so I've been around to see some of the real classic horror movies for a long time. I'm amazed at the good reviews this movie has received from viewers. In my opinion, this movie makes all of the Teen slasher movies look like master pieces in film making. The acting is laughable, and the "ultimate reveal" is an even bigger joke. It would have been physically impossible for the "villain" in the plot. To do the things that are done. The speed, agility, and strength alone would be impossible. Only a super hero could do most of the stuff the villain does. Two stars because I was able to watch the whole movie.

it was amazing

[relox-88621 · 10/10 · 27 September 2021]

James Vaughn is very talented in creating horror scenes. This is a different and special film.

Good but I expected something entirely different

[piggulu · 7/10 · 12 September 2021]

It's really not bad, it actually has a good story and the gore is especially scrumptious. But it gets muddled by some cheese and fluff.

The trailer makes it seem more serious than it actually is. In reality, the movie is comparable to the "Scream" franchise, with lighthearted elements sprinkled throughout a whodunnit manhunt. And that threw everything off for me throughout the whole thing as they didn't seem to quite gel with each other. Add to the mix some erroneous characters like the lovelorn forensics expert and you'd wish they had either tighten the reins a little or pulled more towards a single direction.

But the last 30 min or so is a must-see.

Intentionally bad?

[RogerRoger77 · 2/10 · 27 August 2022]

This is a James Wan film, so going in I didn't have high expectations - he's pretty much the king of hack mainstream horror movies. But most of his movies at least have a certain level of professionalism, which meant that I was genuinely unprepared for just how inept this film was. Right from the silly, campy pre-credits sequence, the script was truly atrocious, matched by some sincerely awful acting throughout. Let's not even get started on the ropey special effects.

Of course, rubbish horror films aren't exactly thin on the ground (see pretty much any random Netflix horror film). But what I found puzzling about this one is that it's very hard to tell how far the bad dialogue and performances might be deliberate. Is this meant as a parody or satire of cheesy horror? Did Wan set out to make an intentionally stupid movie? If so, then maybe he is cleverer than I give him credit for - maybe this film is some sort of elaborate, postmodern joke.

Or, perhaps, it is just terrible.

Love letter to horror and those of us who love it!

[stevesinger-2001 · 9/10 · 13 September 2021]

Don't listen to any of the negativity, that's what happens when a movie shows up on HBO Max and people who don't appreciate horror movies try to watch it.

"Malignant" is Jame's Wan's love letter to old school horror and those of us who love it. A scary, fun movie that turns totally bat-s***t bonkers at the end, this movie is great from start to finish. Totally original and yet at the same time inspired by the grindhouse horror films of the 80's (and one in particular, but you won't get me to ever reveal which one!), Wan has delivered one of the most entertaining movies of the year. Best seen in theaters, but if you watch it on HBO Max, turn down the lights, mute the phone, pop some popcorn and prepare to be wowed.

If you're a fan of horror movie, "Malignant" is highly recommended without reservation.

Only James Wan could deliver a movie like this

[lareval · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

'Malignant' is a beast of a movie: while it's an original story, its influences are noticeable when we look back at De Palma's "Dressed To Kill" (the dressing of the killer -and the duality- reminded me of this and Jigsaw's coat in 'Saw' franchise) or even Fincher's "Seven" (the Chase scene down the stairs of the building), with a special mention of Argento's giallo of "Suspiria" (the bright and deep red). But James Wan has that extremely good style of his own that proves he's the only one who could have brought the unnerving and stunning feelings to the screen and showing us how he's sorely missed in "Conjuring 3" (stunning tracking shots, a straight camera following the characters while introducing us in the Evil atmosphere, the use of dark spaces to imply something lurking there while not being actually able to see it clearly).

The story of the movie is a diabolically fun trap. While the clues are there and you are capable of expecting Wallis' character to be involved with the killer in some way, I higly doubt anyone could really exactly predict the awesome reveal of the final act. Maybe some stuff is predictable, but not all of it. And it's both shocking and refreshing to see how Wan isn't restrained at all and uses blood, gore and explicit elements to squeeze the comfort of the audience. The pacing is good and the somewhat typical build up helps to get better and wilder towards the climax.

Not everything is fine though. Here Wan has caught some "Shyamalan virus" -irony- in terms of some clunky characters and cliched dialogue (mostly the police). Also the performances are not that good: Annabelle Wallis is really good, but she is the only one that works of them all to me. And those cracks hurt a bit what could have been the best Wan movie since 'Conjuring' or 'Saw'.

But, to sum it up, this is a good horror fun and a pleasent surprise with a twist in the end that elevates the movie. It's on the better side of the director's career and a great throwback to classic, bloody horror movies. Great fun!

Turns from Serious to Corny Halfway Through

[charmainepunk · 3/10 · 4 October 2021]

If you go into this movie knowing it's going to devolve into silliness you might like it.

I don't really understand what this movie was trying to be tonewise, but it's mediocre on all points. It's not bad, it's unmemorable to the extent I can't even consider it "so bad it's good" because it wasn't "passable" good or deliciously bad.

The 1st half spent so much time trying to set up a serious tone only for it to be completely abandoned in the 2nd half for absurd scenes & dialogue.

Also the "clues" about the plot development were obvious so I was able to point out what was going to happen in the storyline well before it did to my boyfriend. (I don't mind "getting it" two steps ahead but when I figure the mystery out 30 mins before something is revealed that's way too boring of a development)

I'm not sure why a 70's blacksploitation woman was in the cell with...women who were dressed in modern day clothes? Like that didn't make any sense at all lol, was she abducted from the 70's? Does she do exploitation film re-enactments at the local community theatre? Seriously, why is she the only blast from the past in this cell?

I'm not sure what that really long drawn out chase scene was for when the person being chased wasn't caught at the end of it or lead to anything important. So we could see the stunt double flip over obstacles, I guess?

And the final big fight scene was just like....okay so the bad guy knows pro martial arts now? Lol, alright then. (Especially considering the storyline, uh, when did the baddie have time to learn all this?)

The only thing I can say about this movie is it was really....okay. Corny but not scary.

I would say it was at least funny if the 1st half didn't try so damn hard to come off as a serious movie.

Step back in time

[cltcurran · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

If you appreciate 80s/early 90s horror you'll see how this would then have been a cult hit! It reminded me of Darkman a little bit and films like Braindead. It actually has more style than this period, a very distinctive Wan style of course, but the premise is very much of a certain time in horror. Maybe 2021 isn't the time for it to some, but I happen to be someone who still enjoys delightfully nonsensical gory films that are unapologetic.

It's fairly creepy and serious in the first half and feels very Insidious, but the second half is insanity and it's glorious. Unashamedly bonkers.

Where did Gabriel learn those fighting skills??

Casual horror movie

[venstom · 7/10 · 5 September 2021]

This movie is not a masterpiece. Predictable plot, that doesn't answer too many questions. Worth seeing, but only once.

Ridiculous horror comedy

[Smarmelade · 7/10 · 10 September 2021]

I was expecting one of those substandard horror trope movies that WB is throwing left and right for years now. But this is definitely not that.

First 15 minutes and you know exactly what is going on, who, where, how, etc. But boy oh boy, does it going on.

While the idea is nothing new, execution is just nuts. I'm not sure how good this movie actually is - it's probably not but I was entertained all the way so I might slightyl overreacted by giving it 7/10 while impressions are still fresh.

I just hope James Wan is self aware that he made a horror comedy. If he gets this straight and serious.... man, that's even funnier. But I think he knows exactly what he made.

It's gonna be either catastrophic failure for you or you're gonna get entertained, there's probably not gonna be a middle ground between those two. Kinda recommended.