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We went to see Malignant yesterday, since it seems likely that this will be the last week it's in theater. (Alex and I were the only two in the theater for the mid-afternoon showing.)
I stayed away from any in-depth reviews of it, but was told that it was really original and creative and had a great twist. I watch and enjoy a lot of horror, so I had high-ish hopes that I would at least like it fairly well.
I... did not like it.
I'm not doing a real review*, more just a list of my thoughts on it, but I'll cut it before any big spoilers. (And I WILL spoil the big twist, so don't click if you want to see it and be surprised!) If you want to avoid even minor spoilers, skip the whole thing.
*This proved to be a lie; I apparently had lots to say, and it's very close to an actual review, except it's a lot more rambly and disjointed. Dammit. Maybe I'll fix it up and dust off the horror review blog, but no promises.
Okay, the parts I did enjoy:
- the room-melty effects (which are on display in the trailer) are real cool. Similar-ish to the Silent Hill movie's transition from foggy world to otherworld, though less stylized, but still visually neat.
- there are also some good practical effects with the "creature". Also good physical body-motion by the actress portraying the monster, including an unsettling "why does it seem to be moving backward? That's creepy" motion that is later explained, but was clearly visible before the reveal.
- it pretty much launches into the full horror pretty quick, without any real fake-out ramp-up moments, which I can appreciate.
- the initial mystery that's presented is interesting, and I enjoyed it at the beginning. Unfortunately, I liked it less and less as it continued and more was explained.
- the cast was fine.
- there were some neat creepy setpieces (abandoned hospital, Seattle underground tunnels), though I'm not sure they were used to their full potential.
- the opening credits had some neat design things, where duplicate letters in people's names did a cell-division type motion. It was a really little thing, but it was neat and memorable and thematically fitting.
- I guess I'm glad the twist wasn't just "ooh, she was just ~crazy~ all along".
BUT AS FOR HOW I REALLY FEEL:
( Cut for major plot spoilers and length. Slight tw for mention of miscarriage and domestic violence. )
I stayed away from any in-depth reviews of it, but was told that it was really original and creative and had a great twist. I watch and enjoy a lot of horror, so I had high-ish hopes that I would at least like it fairly well.
I... did not like it.
I'm not doing a real review*, more just a list of my thoughts on it, but I'll cut it before any big spoilers. (And I WILL spoil the big twist, so don't click if you want to see it and be surprised!) If you want to avoid even minor spoilers, skip the whole thing.
*This proved to be a lie; I apparently had lots to say, and it's very close to an actual review, except it's a lot more rambly and disjointed. Dammit. Maybe I'll fix it up and dust off the horror review blog, but no promises.
Okay, the parts I did enjoy:
- the room-melty effects (which are on display in the trailer) are real cool. Similar-ish to the Silent Hill movie's transition from foggy world to otherworld, though less stylized, but still visually neat.
- there are also some good practical effects with the "creature". Also good physical body-motion by the actress portraying the monster, including an unsettling "why does it seem to be moving backward? That's creepy" motion that is later explained, but was clearly visible before the reveal.
- it pretty much launches into the full horror pretty quick, without any real fake-out ramp-up moments, which I can appreciate.
- the initial mystery that's presented is interesting, and I enjoyed it at the beginning. Unfortunately, I liked it less and less as it continued and more was explained.
- the cast was fine.
- there were some neat creepy setpieces (abandoned hospital, Seattle underground tunnels), though I'm not sure they were used to their full potential.
- the opening credits had some neat design things, where duplicate letters in people's names did a cell-division type motion. It was a really little thing, but it was neat and memorable and thematically fitting.
- I guess I'm glad the twist wasn't just "ooh, she was just ~crazy~ all along".
BUT AS FOR HOW I REALLY FEEL:
( Cut for major plot spoilers and length. Slight tw for mention of miscarriage and domestic violence. )
