Malignant (2021)

Director: James Wan

Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White

Primary genre: Supernatural

Secondary genre: Horror

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Despite Wan stating that “Malignant” might be a very scary film based on original ideas, his latest addition in the supernatural horror genre is plagued with implausible execution and banal scares.

Featuring a weak main actress front and center of your new horror film will certainly do not do you any favors. Annabelle Wallis simply does not have enough screen presence the way for example Neve Campbell has in the “Scream” franchise lacking realistic vulnerability. An ill-conceived attempt at domestic violence that kickstarts the proceedings feels misplaced and does not add any depth to the main lead. When bizarre murders start happening, Wan uses the same tricks that made “Insidious” (2011) and the first two “Conjuring” films scary but to less effectively. Despite the presence of stylistic flourishes which betray Wan’s eye for visuals, the abysmal cinematography of Michael Burgess (who also did Guy Ritchie’s “Wrath of Man” (2021)) does not do them justice.

Emulating similar atmosphere to the giallo films of Dario Argento (e.g., “Deep Red” (1975), “Suspiria” (1977)) or even Wes Craven’s “Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), Wan’s work might be stylish but feels overproduced and lacks dread. He throws full moons, the foggiest houses you can think of, mental asylums, flickering lights and dark shadows at every turn; every frame is filled with dark entities and thus depriving the film any sense of suspense. Even the music of the usually reliable Joseph Bishara (who used avant-garde vocals in the first “Conjuring” film) is out of key with synths blasting at inappropriate moments (desperately copying the work of Goblin) and sucking out the potential for moments of tension before Gabriel lands an attack.

And speaking of Gabriel, while he is a definitely visually striking presence, he becomes too silly once the twist reveals itself which might cause unintentional laughter. There is a valiant attempt towards the ambitious final act that touches action horror bonanza levels (surprisingly and) effectively that makes you wonder what would have happened if the whole film followed that route. Yet it arrives too late in a lengthy supernatural feature that does not have substance, charisma or logic to begin with.

“Malignant” has below average performances, illogical character decisions - something that Wan has avoided so far in his career - and banal scares. His tribute to the Giallo genre is admirable in an age where superheroes continue to dominate the screen but “Malignant” does not offer anything really exciting besides a gonzo and over the top third act which is not enough to save this horror film from mediocrity.

Disappointing horror outing from Wan

+3rd act is a horror bonanza

+Gabriel is a visually striking baddie

-…that becomes too silly once the plot twist occurs

-Weak performances

-Illogical character decisions

-Abysmal cinematography

-OTT horror theatrics

-No suspense

-Banal scares