Malignant [2021]
"It's time... we cut out the cancer."
From writer/ director James Wan comes another deliciously twisted horror thriller. If you're familiar with his other work (Insidious, Saw, The Conjuring) you pretty much already know what you're in for. If you've somehow missed the last 16-years of horror cinema, Malignant is going to feel pretty out of left field... though maybe not in a bad way.
Campy music, corny 90's esque shots, dialogue out of straight-to-TV films you got out of the $1 bin at Walmart, Malignant is a pretty good time. What saves it from being a throwaway film is its self-awareness and lack of modesty in virtually any regard -- imagine Horatio Cane from CSI: Miami directed a movie.
From some technical perspectives this has a moderate amount going for it, though it largely rides the wave of nostalgia that it's silly story, wacky early 00's action, fun practical/ cheap visual effects provide.
If you like midweight and fun horror films, this one will definitely be for you; think Goosebumps on steroids. If you like more serious movies that really get under your skin or have something to say, probably wait for the aforementioned bargain bin here.
While not bad on any account, Malignant also fails to break molds or leave me with anything other than time not reproachfully spent.
"I wanted you to see... what you made me."
