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Watching ‘Malignant’ After Eating an Edible: A Film Discussion
Everyone was hyped before the release of Malignant as James Wan was stepping out of the Conjuring universe to direct a new horror movie of his own again. When the film did come out, all anyone could talk about was the surprise twist ending and that this film is Wan’s love letter to 90’s horror films. But I did my best to stay away from the spoilers until social media had moved on to something else to spoil for everyone.
When we decided to watch the film for the Horror PSA podcast, enough time had passed that I could go into the film with no expectations and watch it fresh for the first time. So, the stage was set, it was a Saturday night, the edible had kicked in and it was time to watch Malignant. I felt like a kid again watching a really long episode of ‘Tales From The Crypt’ (TFTC). Upon completion of the film, I would suggest this is exactly how you should be watching this movie.
Let me be clear, no, I’m not suggesting anyone take edibles and watch the film if that’s not your thing. Though it wouldn’t hurt and you’re certainly free to make your own choices in that regard. What I am saying is you should allow yourself to watch this film as you watched films as a child. For instance I began to feel like I was watching an episode of TFTC from the 90s.
Now, I’m not saying this is what James Wan intended when he was making this film and I mean this as a compliment to the filmmakers. But, trust me if you think of the Malignant this way you can have so much fun with it. In the opening scene we’re treated to only a few quick glimpses of Gabriel, though none really ever clear or head on. Any horror fan can quickly guess there is some sort of attached twin scenario.
My brain quickly remembered two of my favorite TFTC episodes that also featured body horror. The first being “People Who Live in Brass Hearses” from season five, starring the Late Bill Paxton (Twister) and Brad Dourif (‘Chucky’) as brothers. The other episode was from Season 2, entitled “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy”, starring Don Rickles (Toy Story) and Bobcat Goldthwait (Police Academy).
Both episodes were told in a fun, campy, yet macabre way that certainly appealed to my younger self. I felt right at ease with Malignant when it was time to “…cut out the cancer!” Which leads us to the outrageously 90’s opening credits, with the stop motion moments and quick cuts.
As far as the over the top-ness of things in this film, I do have to say the “He’s broadcasting his thoughts!” line was equally as outrageous as it was cool to hear. It also added a great little layer to this character, it really kept him interesting along the way.
Fast forward to the present day and we are treated to this this lovely Victorian style house looking all creepy and beautiful. When horror fans see houses like this we know we are in for a treat. Throughout the film viewers are treated to some Zemeckis-esque camera movement when showcasing the houses exterior and establishing the scene. From the first time Madison (Annabelle Wallis) comes home, to the detectives arriving after her husband’s awesome murder.
Speaking of Detectives Moss (Michole Briana White) and Shaw (George Young), these two are the quintessential buddy cop comic relief we’ve come to expect from the 90s. Not only do they fill this role perfectly, with their silly one liners and cop commentary (“So I’m putting out a BOLO on Sloth from the Goonies?”). But their presence also creates a hinted romance between Shaw and Madison’s sister Sydney (Maddie Hassan).
The first time the two meet, Detective Shaw is attempting to question Madison in the hospital when Sydney enters the room in full princess dress. Sydney’s ridiculous costume adds to the off the wall type elements that further make this feel like you’re watching an episode of TFTC.
When we get towards the end of the film, detective Shaw has discovered who the next victim will be and is in a race against time to stop Gabriel from killing again. I don’t know about you but I was getting serious Darkman vibes from that chase scene. Particularly the way Gabriel manages to make his way down the fire escape to the street below.
I absolutely love Crime Scene Tech Winnie (Ingrid Bisu) in this film. She is exactly the nerdy CSI freak I feel a lot of us were at heart when that show first started airing in October of 2000. She perfectly embodies the fascinated nerd who is there for the gore, the way most horror fans who watch these types of films are. Which leads us to Gabriel who is played by Marina Mazepa (Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City) and voiced by Ray Chase (Licorice Pizza).
I’m not sure how anyone could dislike Gabriel’s character, with his rage, need for revenge, and makeshift murder lair in the attic. It takes a special kind of flare to fashion a murder weapon from a metal trophy that you not only stole from your first victim. But to take that to kill your other targets, and an entire police precinct, that is a whole new level of petty. However, I love a good revenge film and that’s what this is, a revenge film from Gabriel’s perspective. Now, I’m not saying revenge films are exclusively 90s, but a lot of my personal favorites are from that era.
The attic lair with its huge slowly blowing fan at the end of the wall was straight from a music video (do they still make those?). All of this is not even mentioning that throughout the film we are treated to a cover of the Pixies song “Where is My Mind”. This only further cemented the specific era Wan was pointing to, as that song always brings me back to the film Fight Club. It’s also worth mentioning that both Fight Club and Malignant each have their own “I’m the one holding the gun” moments in the end, when the main character realizes they can take control.
I understand that people were taken back from the shift of the Conjuring and Insidious for James Wan as a director. But a fucking Pacemaker explodes, need I say more? No, but I will. After Gabriel kills his first victim Dr. Weaver (Jacqueline McKenzie), the bloody gore and violence set the pace for the remainder of the film. The complete brutality of the kill and his rage filled display of aggression really drives home his vendetta. In this film when a bone breaks it actually breaks and you see that in the film. This is truly a gory, brutal horror film that delivers like a film not made in this era.
If you’re a horror fan, especially if you grew up in watching 90s horror like I did, you will be able to piece this film together pretty quickly. There’s nothing Wan is doing here that’s new, there’s nothing flashy or groundbreaking about this film, and that’s okay. What this film does do, and what the edible helped me to see, is get back to a basic style of horror and do it well. I mentioned elements that took me back to TFTC, and the 90s in general, and I was able to enjoy that.
A lot of times horror fans are not surprised by films and we can tell where the film is headed before the characters on the screen do. Even though I knew where the film was going, for the most part, I still had a good time with this film. I was able to just enjoy the film for what it was; a well made meat and potatoes revenge style horror film. That was filled with blood, violence and a winking butthole face Gabriel hell bent on evening the score on all who tried to just shove him into the Madison’s skull. Was that seriously the best these doctors could come up with?
Malignant is now available on digital and Blu-ray, and you check out the trailer below. You can also read our friend Kevin’s review of the Malignant, sans edible, here. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi and more.
Author’s Note: In referencing ‘Tale From The Crypt’ I want to specify that I mean the television series, and not the TFTC movies. The TFTC movies are a whole different animal in their own right and Demon Knight still rules.
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