Review: ‘Malignant’ James Wan, Sort Of, Returns to Horror with His Genre Blending Slasher

James Wan’s Malignant is now in theaters and streaming on HBOMax. Reader Beware Spoilers Ahead!!

James Wan has long been a staple in the horror community. Creating beloved franchises such as Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring universe alongside writing partner Leigh Whannell. He subsequently went on to helm films like Aquaman and Fast and Furious 7. Over the years he’s established himself as a director who can bridge the gap between mainstream and genre filmmaking. 

With a few billion-dollar franchises under his belt, he decided to go as far away from the tropes that made him a household name. Writers Ingrid Bisu, Akela Cooper, and James Wan came up with the story, unleashing unto the public the likes of Malignant, currently in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.

Opening on the impressive Simon Research Hospital that feels like it was plucked right out of the House on Haunted Hill remake. We’re introduced to Dr. Weaver (Jacqueline McKenzie) who is dictating notes on a patient case that she’s currently working on when she’s notified that a violent patient has broken free of their restraints. With bodies piling up in the mayhem, they manage to tranquilize the brute, but something seems off. “It’s time to cut out the cancer” states Dr. Weaver, and the ride begins.

Now present day, Maddy Mitchell (Annabelle Wallis) comes home early from her shift due to pregnancy-related pains. Her husband Derek (Jake Abel) doesn’t seem happy to see her and after a heated exchange, which turns physical, Derek smashes her head against the wall causing bleeding in the back of her skull. Relegated to the couch, Derek is viciously attacked by a mysterious figure and has his head twisted like a corkscrew. Maddy wakes in fright and goes to find Derek’s mangled body, only to be chased and ultimately knocked out herself by the invading presence. 

The young and dashing detective Shaw (George Young) and the no-nonsense, lollipop enthusiast detective Moss (Michole Briana White) are assigned the case. Something isn’t adding up, there was no forced entry, and the history of abuse has them curious about the motive for the killing.

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Waking up in the hospital, with her sister Sydney (Maddie Hasson) watching over her, Madison receives the news that she lost the baby. Devastated, she returns home alone and has the notion that her husband’s killer might still be lurking around the house.

The second act of Malignant follows Madison as she begins to have visions of grisly murders that are taking place around the city. It’s almost like she goes into a waking paralysis in which she can’t control her body, as she gets a ringside seat to the carnage that is unfolding. One by one we see some familiar doctors from the opening scene get taken out by an assailant in a long black cloak, black gloves, puppet-like movements, and whose weapon of choice is a home fashioned dagger that was made from a medical trophy. 

As the detectives investigate these new crimes, Maddison and her sister dig deeper into her past. They slowly begin to put the pieces together and realize that Madison is closer to these victims than she may know. With a long-forgotten imaginary friend known as Gabriel, thought to be responsible for the violence.

If you’ve been anywhere online, I’m sure you’ve seen the reactions and know the film takes a sharp turn. However it’s not until the third act twist that the movie goes into bizarro land in the most ‘what the hell am I watching’ kind of way. I won’t spoil it here, but if you can avoid any hints and go into it cold, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll either love it for its absurdity or hate it because it’s too absurd. Either way you’re sure to get a laugh as the final act unfolds, and maybe a few involuntary cheers.

Malignant isn’t a scary movie. Wan has moments that harken back to his horror roots that make the hair on the back of your neck stand tall, but they’re few and far between. Even the killings are so slow to develop, that when the moment does arise for some bloodletting, it’s over in a flash leaving you unsatisfied. Sure, there is a lot of blood and gore at times. But it’s so fast-paced in its delivery that it feels more like an action movie than a psychological horror slasher.

A lot has been said about the Giallo influence in Malignant. The use of vivid colors, extreme eye close-ups, and even the visions of murders that the heroine is helpless to stop are all nods to the visual masters Dario Argento, Mario Bava, and Lucio Fulci who championed the genre.

The acting feels satirical at times, almost soap opera like, over the top. The music added to accentuate the lines and reactions ended up unintentionally hilarious at times. I still don’t know if it was paying homage to the films that inspired it, or just an odd directing choice. I should also point out that the theme of the movie is a cover of the Pixies, “Where is My Mind”, that is used every chance it gets, and at times a real head scratcher in its placement.

Despite how I feel about this movie, I must give credit to James Wan for swinging for the fences with this one. He had enough pull to make a passion project with no studio influence. It might be mixed in its reviews, but I suspect Malignant will be a movie that will be discussed and dissected for years to come. It may not be scary, but it’s something you will have to see to believe, and you’ll be happy you did. If only to talk about the looney tunes of it all. 2.5/5

Malignant starring Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White is now in theaters and streaming on HBOMax until October 10, 2021. Check out the trailer below and be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi and more.

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