James Wan’s ‘Malignant’: Captivating story, poor execution | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025
James Wan’s ‘Malignant’: Captivating story, poor execution

Splash

Samarah Jannati Zamal
17 September, 2021, 11:00 am
Last modified: 17 September, 2021, 11:00 am

Related News

  • James Wan hints next film in The Conjuring franchise could be last
  • James Wan’s new horror movie ‘Malignant’ screening at Star Cineplex
  • James Wan’s new horror movie ‘Malignant’ to hit Star Cineplex on 10 Sept  
  • Mortal Kombat: James Wan can't bring Midas touch to mindless video game adaptation

James Wan’s ‘Malignant’: Captivating story, poor execution

The film is a missed opportunity with a distinctive and captivating story that lacks a better climactic ending

Samarah Jannati Zamal
17 September, 2021, 11:00 am
Last modified: 17 September, 2021, 11:00 am
The film is based on a novel 'Malignant Man' written by James Wan.
The film is based on a novel 'Malignant Man' written by James Wan.

Australian director and screen-writer James Wan's latest horror movie 'Malignant' consists of the kind of thrill you will enjoy at the theatre. But as the film progresses, mainstream elements overlap the thrill factor and lose the potential to grip the audiences. 

Director James Wan is famous for cult favourite horror films such as 'The Conjuring', 'Insidious: Chapter 2' and 'The Conjuring 2'. In comparison to the success of these films, 'Malignant' does not entirely meet expectations. 

The film starts with scenes set in 1993. Viewers first get introduced to Dr Weaver, who is recording a video during one of his sessions with his patients, Gabriel. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The following scenes take a sneak-peek into the kind of thrill one can expect from a horror film. The feeling is eerily similar to that of watching 'Stranger Things'. 

Fast forward to the present, a pregnant Madison (Annabelle Walls) returns from work. It is evident from the interaction she has with her husband Derek (Jake Abel) that their marriage is at a breaking point. 

There is an unwanted conversation between the two. Derek pushes Madison's head into the wall following the argument where he reminds Madison of her previous miscarriages. Madison's immediate need to lock herself in the room reveals her natural distrust towards her abusive partner. 

The sinister shift in the atmosphere of the film after that scene is quite remarkable, almost making you crack the plot wondering if Madison has some superpower that perhaps gets unleashed after she was attacked. 

The succeeding scenes from the same night include amazing cinematography that brings adequate suspense. The film plays around with lights, highlighting the presence of the thrilling entity. 

Madison comes face to face with it after finding her husband bent at the neck, dead on the living room floor. 

A while later, the creepy, crawling and distorted dark figure of Gabriel appears, who will keep you on the edge but only till you figure out the plot. 

From then onwards, you see Madison suffering in pain for having lost her baby. She suffers from loneliness and desires to have someone she can call her own. But she has a baffling connection with Gabriel through which she witnesses the gruesome murders he committed even though she is not physically present with him, leaving her as the prime murder suspect.

One of the supporting characters, Sydney (Maddie Hasson), Madison's sister, sets off to prove her sister's innocence, finding out the main reason behind Madison's connection with Gabriel. 

However, Maddie's role as a supporting character is sentimental and sweet, as well as detective Kekoa's role that is played by George Young. 

Storywise, the gruesome and disturbing revelation is quite interesting. But the presentation ends up being mainstream. It will leave you predicting the next movement of the characters, eventually making the film less interesting. However, the thrills and psychologically disturbing elements will push you to continue watching. 

The last moments of the film are quite unnatural even in terms of Malignant's unique plot. 

James Wan has displayed a different kind of story in 'Malignant' that sits as a psychological-thriller movie but not horror. And unfortunately, there is an unnecessary stretch in scenes and issues that you can foresee knowing how most horror films end. 

This film could have been structured better. It is a missed opportunity with a distinctive and captivating story that lacks a better climactic ending. 

'Malignant' is now being shown at all branches of Star Cineplex except for SKS Tower, Mohakhali.

Top News / Film Review

Malignant / James Wan

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Aerial view of Grosvenor Square Gardens, London — home to several properties owned by influential families and businesses with ties to the Awami League. Photo: Google Earth
    Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK
  • From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
    From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India plane crash: Not all dead, one survivor identified, 204 bodies recovered

MOST VIEWED

  • Keir Starmer declines to meet CA Yunus: FT report
    Keir Starmer declines to meet CA Yunus: FT report
  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India plane crash: Not all dead, one survivor identified, 204 bodies recovered
  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • File Photo of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus: UNB
    Prof Yunus to receive Harmony Award from King Charles today
  • Infofgraphics: TBS
    DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Bangladesh mulls settlements with tycoons over offshore wealth: BB governor tells FT

Related News

  • James Wan hints next film in The Conjuring franchise could be last
  • James Wan’s new horror movie ‘Malignant’ screening at Star Cineplex
  • James Wan’s new horror movie ‘Malignant’ to hit Star Cineplex on 10 Sept  
  • Mortal Kombat: James Wan can't bring Midas touch to mindless video game adaptation

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

1d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

2d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

3d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

5d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

3h | Podcast
What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

4h | TBS World
Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

5h | TBS Insight
Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

5h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net