78 reviews
A Watchable Horror
Okay, so this isn't perfect by any means but I managed to watch it to the end and I even managed to bring myself to give it a 6/10 rating.
A pregnant couple move into a faculty house when the husband gets a job in the area as a math teacher. When they get there they find a gift has already arrived for them; a fertility box which can't be opened - until the wife opens it... Anyway, at the husband's new school he meets the head of the department, an enigmatic, blind guy who has other, more paranormal interests outside of academia.
The drawbacks of this film to me were that it was predictable (which is okay if it's filmed and directed well - and this wasn't too bad) and the other thing is the husband...he's a bit 2 dimensional and doesn't display enough emotion or good, realistic reactions to the events that transpire (not the actor's fault. It's the fault of the director).
The pros of this film are that, although it's a painted by numbers horror, the characters and acting are good and the there were enough interesting and quite well-done moments of horror throughout to sustain my interest which has become extremely fussy these days (being 50 years old).
Overall: Not bad! A bit flat in places but a half decent offering. It's more of a 5 but I gave it 6 because I got to end without feeling too much frustration.
- michaelant555
- Oct 19, 2018
- Permalink
Some good moments
I did not want to watch another useless horror movie.. But I gave it a try anyway... There were really some good frightening moments but they could have developped more Dr Clarks' character.
Not punchy and enigmatic enough in my opinion, but it's much better of what I have seen this year in terms of horror movie... Really.
Reasonably entertaining, but a bit too slow and too low on real scares.
- johannes2000-1
- Sep 12, 2018
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Not "Malicious", but Inane.
What a mess.
Impossibly inorganic, with zero understanding of human interaction.
- icecreamassassin-37948
- Nov 22, 2019
- Permalink
Those doll faces....
I gave this a 7 but it was bordering on an 8 as I liked the plot, visual scares and overall content.
It's a classic person becoming possessed type of film and this had some good content where that was concerned. It had a small cast and mostly set in one house lots of Doll faces in some of the scenes and that in itself is creepy.
The overall story was good and the ending not your normal kind where everything gets put right but as for the scares? Well lots of screams and not too much gore. The screen writers choosing to allow the story to entertain us rather than pools of blood and body parts.
Great horror/thriller flick, entertaining and not too drawn out
It's a classic person becoming possessed type of film and this had some good content where that was concerned. It had a small cast and mostly set in one house lots of Doll faces in some of the scenes and that in itself is creepy.
The overall story was good and the ending not your normal kind where everything gets put right but as for the scares? Well lots of screams and not too much gore. The screen writers choosing to allow the story to entertain us rather than pools of blood and body parts.
Great horror/thriller flick, entertaining and not too drawn out
- jonerogers
- Oct 20, 2018
- Permalink
Definitely not a great, but good for casuals
Interesting Horror Film
- debbystardust
- Aug 19, 2019
- Permalink
Average Horror with Lousy Ending
I have tried my best to enjoy this B grade horror movie but I can't..it's very mediocre, movie too slow, not really scary and the ending is lousy.
Surprisingly good!
I was put off by the negative reviews so this took me longer to get round to watching than it should. I'm glad I did watch it though as I found it really good, better than some of the recent big budget horrors.
The jumps are good, atmospheric all the way through, good acting, there is no special effects to speak of but visually it's really good, all in all a very satisfying horror!
Personally I liked the ending, it wasn't a let down like so many recent films...
Highly recommended.
- 3_the_monkey
- Oct 21, 2018
- Permalink
Not that bad!
Is this how Cinema Sins feels?
Not Scary But Entertaining
- cwilliams-68893
- Mar 19, 2019
- Permalink
I don't write out reviews So know this movie is that bad.
It starts out promising with the first couple. The moment the main characters appear it goes strait down hill. Wooden performances. No chemistry between any characters. The movie is so bad it made Delroy Alonso look like a terrible actor. It wasn't believable. It became redundant, constantly repeating a joke about one plus one throughout the movie. Don't even get me started on the annoying student and over the top sister. It's disappointing because the main couple are great actors in other films, Bonjana in Devil and The Hallow and John Stewart in The collector and The collection. Do yourself a favor and pass this one. It's drivel at best.
- LiAmberNichole
- Feb 3, 2019
- Permalink
Murder with malice
Actually wanted to like 'Malicious', and yes there was the intention to judge the film for myself after watching it and even more intention to judge it fairly. Both have always been the case with me when it comes to reviewing a film. The idea was attention-grabbing and it didn't look too bad, so there was potential.
Potential that was not lived up to very well at all. 'Malicious' was not a waste of time but it is a long way from a must watch from personal opinion. Didn't regret watching it and didn't find that my intelligence was insulted, something that cannot be said for some other films seen recently, it just didn't compel let alone unsettle me which is a primary factor as to why 'Malicious' as an overall film doesn't work.
Lets start with the good things. 'Malicious' started off very well, it does draw one right in, sets things up promisingly and has an eerie vibe. It's a decent looking film, with the setting giving off the right amount of unease and the photography has atmosphere. The music is haunting and not too obvious or intrusive.
Generally the acting was better than average. Nobody over-compensates and nobody looks uncomfortable or robotic.
However, while the characters don't annoy there could have been much more development to them. The script is an overload of cheese and awkwardness and the direction is at best lethargic.
'Malicious' biggest issue is the story. There is very little tension, suspense or dread, with the scares infrequent and being going-through-the-motions-like and obvious when they appear. It is dull too often despite starting off so well and is very predictable from the excessive over-familiarity of a lot of scenes, while it becomes increasingly far-fetched and confused. Not enough is explained properly either, too much is left vague and leaves one scratching their heads.
Not a waste of time but doesn't scare or compel enough. 4/10 Bethany Cox
Potential that was not lived up to very well at all. 'Malicious' was not a waste of time but it is a long way from a must watch from personal opinion. Didn't regret watching it and didn't find that my intelligence was insulted, something that cannot be said for some other films seen recently, it just didn't compel let alone unsettle me which is a primary factor as to why 'Malicious' as an overall film doesn't work.
Lets start with the good things. 'Malicious' started off very well, it does draw one right in, sets things up promisingly and has an eerie vibe. It's a decent looking film, with the setting giving off the right amount of unease and the photography has atmosphere. The music is haunting and not too obvious or intrusive.
Generally the acting was better than average. Nobody over-compensates and nobody looks uncomfortable or robotic.
However, while the characters don't annoy there could have been much more development to them. The script is an overload of cheese and awkwardness and the direction is at best lethargic.
'Malicious' biggest issue is the story. There is very little tension, suspense or dread, with the scares infrequent and being going-through-the-motions-like and obvious when they appear. It is dull too often despite starting off so well and is very predictable from the excessive over-familiarity of a lot of scenes, while it becomes increasingly far-fetched and confused. Not enough is explained properly either, too much is left vague and leaves one scratching their heads.
Not a waste of time but doesn't scare or compel enough. 4/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 30, 2018
- Permalink
Up
The movie was not so bad as I expected. Some scenes surprised me in good way but despite that effects of this film are hideous.
- Edvis-1997
- Oct 21, 2018
- Permalink
Bland and boring
- caesarlivenloud
- Nov 8, 2018
- Permalink
I fell asleep
"You know it's bad when we both laugh"- my boyfriend part way through. I usually scare easily but this movie didn't scare me and I laughed at a few things. It's literally all been done before. I was not scared of the made-in-China dollar store jewelry box.
I missed the very end as I fell asleep. I won't be re-watching.
- laurhartwick
- May 12, 2019
- Permalink
Worth a watch
The acting is very good by the two leads - not the actress who plays the sister however, wow was she terrible! Not sure how she was cast, in fact she really pulled you out of the story she was so bad. But the leads were good and had good chemistry with each other. The set design was excellent. The script was fine/decent.
- filmmakersis
- Feb 6, 2019
- Permalink
The real malicious one is the husband!
- DreamWonder
- Oct 19, 2018
- Permalink
I absolutely loved this!
"Malicious" delivers an engaging and suspenseful supernatural thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. While it might not be as widely recognized as some other horror films, it offers a fresh take on the haunted house subgenre with its effective use of tension and supernatural intrigue.
Director Michael Winnick skillfully builds an atmosphere of unease from the very beginning. The film's pacing allows for a gradual escalation of tension, providing ample time for the audience to connect with the characters and immerse themselves in the eerie ambiance of the story. This patient approach pays off as the supernatural occurrences intensify, leading to some genuinely chilling moments that are sure to make even seasoned horror fans jump.
Bojana Novakovic's portrayal of Lisa, a pregnant woman targeted by malevolent forces, is commendable. Her emotional journey from curiosity to fear is palpable, and viewers will find themselves empathizing with her struggles. Josh Stewart, playing Lisa's concerned husband, adds a layer of relatability to the story as he grapples with the inexplicable events plaguing their lives.
"Malicious" strikes a balance between psychological horror and traditional supernatural scares. The film's ability to blend these two elements results in a storyline that keeps viewers guessing and engaged. Delroy Lindo's role as the parapsychologist adds credibility and intrigue to the unfolding mystery, and his interactions with the main characters help guide the narrative in unexpected directions.
What sets "Malicious" apart is its willingness to embrace classic horror elements while incorporating modern twists. The film successfully utilizes jump scares and eerie visual effects to create an immersive experience. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the execution and unexpected turns in the story breathe new life into the genre.
Visually, "Malicious" shines in its use of lighting and cinematography to create a haunting and immersive environment. The setting, particularly the couple's new home, becomes a character of its own, contributing to the overall sense of foreboding.
In conclusion, "Malicious" is a hidden gem for fans of supernatural horror seeking a suspenseful and engaging cinematic experience. Its effective blending of psychological tension and supernatural scares, along with strong performances and atmospheric visuals, make it a film that deserves more recognition. If you're looking for a well-crafted horror movie that will keep you guessing until the end, "Malicious" is well worth a watch.
Director Michael Winnick skillfully builds an atmosphere of unease from the very beginning. The film's pacing allows for a gradual escalation of tension, providing ample time for the audience to connect with the characters and immerse themselves in the eerie ambiance of the story. This patient approach pays off as the supernatural occurrences intensify, leading to some genuinely chilling moments that are sure to make even seasoned horror fans jump.
Bojana Novakovic's portrayal of Lisa, a pregnant woman targeted by malevolent forces, is commendable. Her emotional journey from curiosity to fear is palpable, and viewers will find themselves empathizing with her struggles. Josh Stewart, playing Lisa's concerned husband, adds a layer of relatability to the story as he grapples with the inexplicable events plaguing their lives.
"Malicious" strikes a balance between psychological horror and traditional supernatural scares. The film's ability to blend these two elements results in a storyline that keeps viewers guessing and engaged. Delroy Lindo's role as the parapsychologist adds credibility and intrigue to the unfolding mystery, and his interactions with the main characters help guide the narrative in unexpected directions.
What sets "Malicious" apart is its willingness to embrace classic horror elements while incorporating modern twists. The film successfully utilizes jump scares and eerie visual effects to create an immersive experience. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the execution and unexpected turns in the story breathe new life into the genre.
Visually, "Malicious" shines in its use of lighting and cinematography to create a haunting and immersive environment. The setting, particularly the couple's new home, becomes a character of its own, contributing to the overall sense of foreboding.
In conclusion, "Malicious" is a hidden gem for fans of supernatural horror seeking a suspenseful and engaging cinematic experience. Its effective blending of psychological tension and supernatural scares, along with strong performances and atmospheric visuals, make it a film that deserves more recognition. If you're looking for a well-crafted horror movie that will keep you guessing until the end, "Malicious" is well worth a watch.
- JaneBingley
- Aug 25, 2023
- Permalink
It has it's scary moments
- michaelRokeefe
- Jul 13, 2020
- Permalink
bleh
Typical cheesy and predictable horror flick, watched because was bored at least the time passed well..
Nope nope nope
- bookstellanova
- Feb 17, 2019
- Permalink