Malignant reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Malignant. Directed by James Wan.

[@csjcsj2906]

When he mentioned Harry Potter, that was freaking funny because it totally makes sense.

[@KnarfStein]

?

[@matty8489]

@@KnarfStein why ?

[@Shehroze]

@@matty8489 Quirrel

[@MrUmandMrEr]

Funniest bit was the sister's choice of parking spot outside the old hospital.

[@MakenshiCritiques]

It was meant to be an overproduced B-movie

[@johnny1013johnny]

I will never forget the last 30 min of this movie.

[@keithlamontdavis8047]

I disagree. The first two thirds is actually quite good, particularly on the second viewing. People entirely miss all of the subtle, intentional comedy and necessary setup that makes the ending work so well. As great as it is, two hours worth of the ending of this movie would have been terrible.

[@jakegibbard]

I agree, I really loved the dark mystery element of it, the knowingly campy gothic elements, plus I thought Annabelle Wallis was giving a great performance. Then the last 20-30 minutes happened, and it became my favourite film of the year.

[@steviegbcool]

so the cliches , bad soap opera acting and terrible music were all intentional ?

[@keithlamontdavis8047]

@@steviegbcool Yes. It's silly and over the top on purpose, right from the beginning. It's a parody, but it doesn't hit you over the head to make sure you know it's a parody.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Totally! All of it works if you're just patient. Loved the set up...

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

I feel like the last third works so well because of how run-of-the-mill the first 2 acts were. The joy of having the rug pulled out from under me made me LOVE this movie. I loved it because it paid off my patience.

[@steviegbcool]

yes but it was still terrible . a kung fu bogereman that kills people backswards. sure its memorbale and crazy but its still terrible lol

[@firekind1980]

@@steviegbcool Mark loves Twilight and Kiststen Stewart is the bestest actor evAR. He was always going to find a problem with the boogeyman being a part of the woman. How sexist blah.

[@nicholasbarker8596]

I think people really misunderstood this movie

[@Emperor479]

Love it or hate it, you got to give it up to James Wan for making a movie as absolutely bonkers as this at the peak of his popularity and WB for releasing it. It was like watching Argento, Cronenberg , Sam Raimi's campiness all rolled into one and covered with the James Wan slickness. My biggest complaint was the score which was pretty dull. Wan should have called the members of Goblin and seen if they were available.

[@alexramirez6832]

Those last 25 minutes are worth sitting through the first two thirds! 😂 I admire this movie! This movie is a satire of horror! Full of Camp. We need more comedy-horror! Bravo, Mr. James Wan! 🍿

[@mamat7925]

Glad to hear from someone who gets that it’s meant to be derivative camp.

[@alucard2010]

Not full camp, more like 80's schlock with doses of giallo

[@raisedonpopcornwithgrant9670]

this film to me was the perfect homage to 80s and 90s video nasty camp b-movies you can tell from the start tongue is planted firmly in cheek. i loved it to be honest.

[@123rockfan]

But I wish it was scary. It’s possible for a horror film to be both genuinely scary and funny

[@alucard2010]

@@123rockfan not if it's in the.vein of basket case, re animator, from beyond, sleppaway camp. Those movies were scary when I first saw them back in the day but now they are funny..just like this. Malignant did have some suspense in it and weird shit in the background

[@reamusray790]

The twist was great, I enjoyed it. Very unique

[@pardeepbhakar4961]

Given Wan’s previous work regarding okay screenplays (except for Aquaman) decent performances, James intentionally wanted to make a film which was a throw back to the 80s and 90s. I think it’s intention is to be so bad it’s good. I really enjoyed it on the level it was set out what it wanted to achieve. It’s biggest problem was it had no consistency in its style. Some scenes were flat whilst others were very stylish. The music jumped from melodramatic to catchy techno. It’s one of those films that will gain a cult status like The Thing.

[@jameeyg87]

Haha I love Aquaman, but loved Malignant too. I love how he turned a superhero origin story into an epic with globe trotting and dinosaurs.

[@cwc5085]

Honestly, I don't think the last 1/3 would have been so enjoyable if the first 2/3 weren't somewhat dull.

[@MrJtle1965]

I was the lobby correspondent , could not believe it when they used my clip !!😂😂

[@ryantodd2000]

I honestly thought the tone remained consistent throughout the entirety of the movie, the last act just crancked everything up to 11 and made it 10x better I cannot wait to show others this movie because their reactions are gonna be priceless

[@waynegoodman3345]

Kermode thinks The Exorcist is the greatest horror movie ever but with that it takes along time to get going barely anything happens the first 45 mins or so. Malignant was not boring even the first hour still lots going to appreciate,i think it was quite deliberate of the director was setting it up as another haunted house type horror but no this was definitely something quite different.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Film critics forget how to enjoy themselves. Totally up their own ass sometimes.

[@mrmrgaming]

It's bonkers, and while it does not end up being amazin, it is however good fun and something that is missing in the film world.

[@jameslappin9896]

When she yeeted the chair across the room I howled

[@agentsuperargo5023]

C'mon....if you're a real Horror movie fan? This movie made you Laugh your azz off.😂😂

[@JM-ll2vv]

James Wan knows exactly what hes doing

[@123rockfan]

Honestly, I’d rather see a horror film that’s scary but also has genuine comedy. Misery did a good job at this. The comedic elements actually elevate the suspense

[@gavinj1456]

Would recommend Cabin in the Woods if you haven’t seen it. A very funny parody if you’re a horror fan with some actual pretty good scares. Similar to malignant the 3rd act of the film is completely insane

[@SkinnyEMedia]

I’d argue the CHUCKY films, pre-2013, fulfilled this achievement wonderfully.

[@adrianpale2342]

Really though, you just rather see a film that you understand beginning to end. Like the general audience, you rather know exactly what the film is going to be before you start watching it. You rather the mood, tone, genre, everything, be the same thing throughout. But if you are an adventurous movie-goer, you are open to surprises and allowing the film to do it's own thing until the end. Not hold the film against your expectations of what you want to see yourself. Also, the best horror/comedy from beginning to end is Evil Dead 1 and 2.

[@123rockfan]

@@adrianpale2342 Lol I don’t think you understood my comment...at all. My favorite movies are actually ones that surprise and challenge the audience. What I don’t like is the trend of recent horror movies being dumb on purpose. Malignant reminds me a lot of the Asylum films, where they’re just tying to be bad on purpose

[@Onmysheet]

​@@gavinj1456Cabin in the woods was rubbish.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Loved this film, it was just the perfect amount of bonkers that I love. The prison scene and the police station scene are just soooo fantastic ❤ Best time I have had in the cinema for ages! 😂 Can't wait for more Gabriel.

[@Ocelot4R]

I think if it had the third act tone throughout from beginning, it would have been over done and gotten boring. The slow build up to the reveal and scenes at the end was well worth it. That is what makes you appreciate that third act more IMO.

[@TopFlightSecurity415]

i LOVED the last 30 minutes..i kind of agree i wish he had that tone throughout the whole movie nevertheless i still loved it

[@FromTheFens219]

Mark's laugh gives me energy

[@felyxmillicent6538]

Fantastic film. Loved it. 🔥

[@Lord_Heron]

I agree, the last 25 minutes are entertaining. The first 2 thirds (or 3 quarters) are utterly dull, seen it all before. I nearly stopped watching at least twice (and I never stop watching a film once I have started), absolutely boring as hell, but the reveal is hilariously horrible.

[@Matthew9818]

Bizzare film but loved it . You could never guess that twist . I was cringing a bit at the explanation part but that detail aside it was great . Not all that scary but entertaining for sure .

[@grobb30]

The acting in the opening sequence set the tone, terrible. Turned off after an hour that included a couple of power naps……from the review I need to watch the second hour now though!

[@LoganScottY]

4:43 huh? Did we watch the same movie lol .... The reveal while masterfully impossible to see coming given how the first 2 acts play out, there is still plenty of foreshadowing in those first 2 acts that you wouldn't bother piecing together at the time

[@audiodead7302]

Definitely worth watching. Agree that this is not going to be remembered as an all time classic. But it will be remembered. Of all of James Wan's, it reminds me of Dead Silence. That was also a cliche ridden chiller and then a completely bonkers reveal which elevated it. But I think Malignant is a better movie.

[@gremsa]

"It was the worst acting i've ever seen" now that's completely true

[@philiphunn194]

I had the same reaction - up until the final reveal I wasn't really feeling like I'd got my money's worth... and then the reveal happened and I thought "WTF am I watching?!" It was completely and utterly hatstand crazy.

[@Fatpie42]

Liking this video for providing the review. Not because I actually like it. Thanks for uploading this!

[@johnsellings1066]

As a fan of Scala radio I kind of equate it to Mozart's musical joke (Dorfmusikantensextett) - it is a pretty standard fare through the majority and it is in principal the ending that makes it interesting - hence it being played quite a bit on Scala. That by the way is a compliment really (to Scala and the film). Life is contrast and in some ways the last 25 minutes work because of the preceding sections. I agree they are not particularly good but feel Wan wanted to do a kind of 'From dusk til dawn' switch possibly. Contrast is a good goal to aim for but sometimes some of the contrasting bits are intentionally OR unintentionally just BAD..... :-)

[@dfa3366]

I liked it on the second viewing. And the 3rd time it was a blast.

[@xuxuang8574]

I guessed the twist about ten minutes in. For me the first half was like a batshit insane version of Hitchcockian irony... But like one that made me question my own sanity for considering it as an option. In a way I was thinking of Hitchcock the way through. It's kind of a spoof Hitchcock. The moment you see the batman style asylum in the opening shot, you know Wan knows what he's doing and you're in for some awesome nonsense.

[@markpalermo1000]

The movie is fairly bonkers from the start if you're paying attention to its tone. Kermode is struggling with his Wan bias.

[@willardfaraday8022]

I freaking loved it. Agreed with everything you said but the crazy at the end made my freaking day. Wow!

[@markanne54]

My girlfriend and I saw the reveal coming a mile off and sure enough we were absolutely right. Not to say it wasn't a romp though and we both liked it a lot.

[@keefriff99]

I had a sense of where the film was heading, but it still made me go HOLY SHIT when it was revealed.

[@adrianpale2342]

lol really? SPOILERS SPOILERS: You and your gf knew that gabriel would be sprouting out of the back of Madison's head and controlling her running backwards the whole time? Lol get real! At most maybe you just saw that it was "going to be her" in some way. But BS if you're saying you predicted exactly what the 3rd act was about. The whole point of this film is that it sets up as a predictable story using cliche horror tropes. But then by the ending it subverts and abandons those tropes in favor of unpredictable madness and genre splicing. I was watching it with a friend who was hating on it the whole time, pointing out the seemingly accidental bad writing and cliches, and how predictable the plot was. But by the end of it, he continued trying to point these elements out, and whereas he was right earlier on the film, continued to be wrong and wrong again, by the end. It really made him think about how and why he was able to predict most of it until hitting a brick wall by the end.

[@AckZap]

As if lol

[@peartreeproductions1993]

Just watched this. Halfway through I was meh. But then it came together and I enjoyed the last half. I think watching this a 2nd time through, you'd enjoy it even more. Glad I didn't turn off.

[@charlesknowlton7198]

I love how Simon has no patience in this review.

[@DuncanUdaho67]

I’m really hungry for a sub sandwich now, thanks Mark.

[@SkinnyEMedia]

Horror film or spoof, you must be referring to SPIRAL or perhaps IDLE HANDS, BRIDE and SEED OF CHUCKY, or SHAUN OF THE DEAD? Sub this, sub that.

[@alucard2010]

Gaberial escapes an institution? WTF

[@Gavin48]

I think was trying not to ruin it

[@SkinnyEMedia]

James Wan’s best film is DEATH SENTENCE. A hard stakes 18 cert. vigilante thriller. This sounds like a more ridiculous version of ROSEMARY’S BABY? Seen some of the last bits of the film and it plays like a weird action film a la PRIEST or THE CROW?

[@playthatfunkymusicrobot]

"Oh, I have amnesia."

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

Totally agree! Rated R 18+ in Australia no less, whereas HALLOWEEN KILLS got MA 15+.

[@jaket282]

I think he's being far too harsh on the first 90 minutes. I didn't find it boring whatsoever.

[@robertzeleznik8124]

Movie was fun. Kudos to Wann

[@Fin_Nash]

I want this movie erased from my mind... the amount of money put into it would've been better off in better places😂

[@MrYuleyule]

That's so sad.. I freaking loved every moment of this film

[@Fin_Nash]

@@MrYuleyule it was entertaining... sort of like 'The Room' was. Still think the money put into it would've been better somewhere else

[@harrymaishman5755]

So glad this is Kermode's angle on this film...seen too many people online saying its the best film Wan's ever made/the most original ground breaking film since saw/future cult classic etc etc...it was utterly rubbish 😂

[@misira8256]

It was a masterpiece!

[@MidLoafCrisis]

It's a shimmering masterpiece of glorious cheesy nonsense. I loved it

[@enrapturedgoose5317]

last third was fantastic haha

[@MrYuleyule]

@@misira8256 wrong. It's the film kf the year(at least until dune) and no I'm not being sarcastic

[@adrianpale2342]

Actually you can tell he enjoyed the film but the co-host is basically trying to argue against that and also it's not necessarily Kermode's responsibility to defend the film. But you can tell with the way he laughs and described the last act that he had a great time watching it and it was very memorable for him. What else do you need from a movie?

[@AlastairLow]

I would say u kinda of know it all the time. I realy enjoyed it. wasnt super bored with the first half like you. It reminded me a lot of the game farenheight and beyond 2 soals in the first half and was getting (spiler alert) fight club vibes witch tunrened out to be more true than i thought. also hints of twin peeks and deadly preminition. I have wanted someone to make a deadly preminition movie for a while and james wan would be great for it , staring Patrick Wilson as the mian character too.

[@matthewfoong]

Wow I cant disagree with mark kermode more about the first 2/3s. It was comedic and purposeful all the way through and was a satire of the old b movie horror genre. I think its subtly really went over the heads of many, I.e that person they quotes who said it was the worst acting they had scene, that was obviously done on purpose plus the different ways particular characters were acted badly was very deliberate. how can people not see this?

[@TrYzRAID]

People are stupid... Lol you should know by now that reviewers are not very bright

[@SkinnyEMedia]

No horror film will compare this 2021 except for CENSOR.

[@saxbend]

In terms of drama, specifically acting and writing, it's easily the worst film I've seen all year. In terms of story structure it's all over the place. The mystery falls into place too easily once you've seen the clues, but until then seems too disjointed for you to even care whether there's a connection. The first half is incredibly dull, but the action for the final half hour is a decent reward for suffering through everything that comes before. I will say though that the camera crew and set designers have put some decent effort into it. The music composer absolutely not - the score is as wooden and unimaginative as the dialogue. Overall it seems like a teenager won a competition to write a film script, and was awarded a crew of pros and a budget to make it, cutting costs on decent actors to free up money for visual effects. I could have walked out 20 minutes in, but I was there to have a social evening with a friend rather than for the film itself. Managed to get some enjoyment out of it by the end at least.

[@igoe885]

Over the top, ridiculous, bad acting, a mess -- James Wan's worst horror movie to date. But not boring at all - if you like trashy horror flics.

[@Fatpie42]

Kermode likes the Twilight movies. Kermode likes the Twilight movies. Kermode likes the Twilight movies. Kermode likes the Twilight movies.

[@lapislazuli5035]

And?

[@Fatpie42]

@@lapislazuli5035 And he has no credibility.

[@joepbailey]

It was fucking tosh.

[@megacool4690]

awesome movie

[@Fatpie42]

Just reminds me why I don't listen to any of Kermode's reviews any more. Thank goodness for Simon Mayo keeping him on track, who could tell that Kermode had forgotten to say what the film is about. Not that Kermode bothers to clear that up when Mayo prompts him to do so. The comment Mayo reads out tells us more than Kermode does. I'd also note that the implication of Kermode's final comment that Wan doesn't make the final twist obvious enough is contradicted by the amount of information already present in the opening scene, the opening credits imagery, the drip fed clues in the film and, let's face it, the title!

[@Thedarkknight2244]

I’m pretty sure I heard people laugh at the reveal of the twin at the back of the girl’s head

[@adrianpale2342]

no way. that part was actually genuinely creepy and weird. how can you laugh at how disgusting it looks? only if you've checked out of watching the movie, I suppose. But if that's the case, why care about the opinions of people who refuse to watch the whole film?

[@Thedarkknight2244]

@@adrianpale2342 Maybe its just me. But when something looks over the top gross, its a bit funny. I remember there were a few laughs in Harry Potter when they showed the Voldemort fetus