Review of Malignant (2021) by An4H0Ny — 12 Sep 2021

I heard a lot of chatter about Malignant being some kind of neo-Giallo film, but I really think that was just an attempt to distract from the true nature of this film, to protect the twist in the third act. Sure there are elements of Giallo here but they are just nods. The true parentage of Malignant is over-the-top violent, frenetic paced and usually at least SEMI tongue-in-cheek horror B movies from the 70's and 80's. James Wan sets the viewer up for the ride in the opening sequence with an absolutely bonkers set piece that lets you know his intentions right off the bat. It's gonna be bloody, violent and poke fun at it's own parentage. I truly believe that this is done as a way to communicate to the viewer - "Stay with us on this ride. It's going somewhere great. The 2nd act will drag a little but there is a good reason." Once you see the reveal, you understand a lot of the more puzzling elements earlier on.

Now, is this film an acting class? Nope. It is the most clever plot you'll ever see? Not even. Will you guess the twist early on? That depends on how many of these types of films you have seen before. I figured out what sub-genre this was early on but I didn't get the twist until about five seconds before it dropped in all it's glory. I only had time to get out "NO WAY." before my wife said "What?" and then we were both like - "WT actual F?!?!".

I just have to applaud James Wan for attempting something fresh and semi-original here. There is so much to like about this film. The cinematography, most of the special effects, the humor, the way it doesn't pull punches with the violence - and the fact that there is no gratuitous sexuality. This film is on a mission. If you relax, have fun with it and don't take it (or yourself) too seriously, this film is a blast and a joy to behold, for fans of bloody disgusting horror, anyway. If you don't like violence, DO NOT watch this film. There are no jump scares and no silly Deus-Ex-Machina resolutions. In the end it all makes glorious, ridiculous, bloody, violent sense.

If you dig movies like My Bloody Valentine, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Basket Case, Dead Ringers, Sinister, etc... you will most likely be grinning like an idiot at the end of Malignant. Invite some friends over, order a pizza and have a blast with this one. It's definitely worth checking out.