Malignant
directed by James Wan
This is a suspense/thriller movie that reminded me of Brian DePalma's film, Sisters, with Margot Kidder. Younger people might have other touchstones.
directed by James Wan
I thought Malignant wasn't what it could have been because it switched mood and tone too often.
One second it's a glorious B movie homage to scientists investigating things that should not be before turning into a somber statement on loneliness, loss, and domestic violence and finally morphing into a bloody action/horror film.
Or maybe it's just a parody of those things. Malignant mixes a lot together. James Wan directed Malignant. James Wan made a name for himself by directing Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring, before going to even greater glory with Aquaman and Fast and Furious 7.
Wan is a master of his craft, especially when it comes to using sets and lighting to make the viewer feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Wan does that to massive effect in Malignant. Malignant has some impressive camera work. The camera silently communicates the loneliness and fear felt by the lead actress. But too often the music interferes with that, leading to a cheesy "BE SCARED NOW" effect.
Wan could have cut the running time by fifteen to twenty minutes without losing much from the narrative.
Madison (Annabelle Wallis) is a pregnant woman with a lazy abusive husband Derek (Jake Abel).
When Madison feels sick and returns home early from work does Derek go to the store to buy her needed items, call the doctor for advice, offer hugs, listen to her complaints, get her a hot water bottle or do anything that a normal husband and soon to be father would do?
No. No he does not.
Derek instead gets into an argument with Madison which culminates with him shoving her into the wall forcefully enough that Madison lacerates her scalp.
Someone breaks into their home. Madison survives. Derek does not. Madison can't remember anything other than a shadowy figure standing over Derek and threatening her. Madison had a miscarriage. Now in the care of her sister Sydney (Maddie Hasson), Madison begins having visions of murders. These visions come true.
This freaks out the detectives assigned to Derek's case, Shaw (George Young) and Moss (Michole White). The detectives can't explain Madison's precognition or find any signs of forced entry in her home.
Further investigation digs up some troubling incidents from Madison's past. Cue interviews with strange old people who know things and other typical horror film themes. As with everything your mileage may vary. I can say that if you are disturbed by explicit violence then skip this film.
