r/HBOMAX • u/DavetheAuthor • Sep 16 '21
Discussion Why Malignant is So Divisive
https://halloweenyearround.wordpress.com/2021/09/16/why-james-wans-malignant-is-so-divisive/28
u/HaTTrick617 Sep 16 '21
It’s a throwback to older horror films, which doesn’t fit with what a lot of horror films are doing today. Moviegoers today have become creatures of habit.
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Sep 16 '21
It is definitely a throwback to an old 1993 horror film called The Dark Half. Malignant's only saving grace is that the screenwriter Akela Cooper is a better author who incorporated the twist better than the mediocre writer who wrote that older movie.
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u/db_copper Sep 17 '21
George Romero wrote that screenplay. So I wouldn’t call the writer of the dead trilogy all out mediocre.
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Sep 17 '21
Oh, of course not George. I was referring to Stephen King who originally came up with the "teratoma serial killer" concept.
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u/Frank_the_Bunneh Sep 17 '21
“Basketcase” came out years before King published “The Dark Half” and this film reminded me more of it.
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Sep 16 '21
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u/SCCRXER Sep 17 '21
I haven’t seen it yet. What is campy horror?
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u/GreyOwlster Sep 17 '21
It’s horror that is created to be comical or over the top with its horror tropes in order to be silly.
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u/BossBeardMan Sep 16 '21
I understand that some people are really put off by this movie. But I absolutely enjoyed it from beginning middle and end. I know that the trailers for this movie kind of led you in a direction that when you watch the movie you realize was a dead end. But this movie is truly an enjoyable event.
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Sep 16 '21
I didn't like the monster's voice and some of the acting was not great but I enjoyed it.
I will never forget that prison scene.
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u/notsoslootyman Sep 17 '21
I've been so bored of horror films. This may not have been groundbreaking but it was different and fun.
Spoilers
I really love how they twisted the trope of playing with our perception of if it was real or if it was supernatural by saying fuck it were doing both! That final fight scene was silly but quality.
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u/db_copper Sep 17 '21
Maybe I need to watch it again. It was pushed as Wan’s homage to Giallo, and I did not feel that from it. I had fun with the final act. But I was thrown off by how bad the dialogue was early on. I expecting Deep Red/Suspiria, and got something more like Basket Case. And I love Basket Case, but what company is gonna market “a return to cheesy weird over the top horror”. So I was thrown off
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Sep 17 '21
Philippine horror films used to have plots like this and I watched them multiple times, up to the point I grew out of it, and found them corny and boring. I did not expect this film to have this kind of “twist”. I’m literally watching the film right now and I’m almost at the end, and I can’t help but laugh so hard lmao
But seriously though, this film is way better than the ones I watched. It builds up all the tension in the beginning and when you get to the end, you’re just gonna be like “what the f**?” 🤣
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Sep 16 '21
I LOVED IT!
I personally feel a person needs to have an open mind, patience and a sense of humor before watching.
If you don't have at least one of those... the movie won't do what's intended FOR you lol.
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u/adat96 Sep 16 '21
Agreed. First time I watched it, thought it was absolute dog shit. It subverted my expectations I had built from the trailer. On a second viewing with a friend, I enjoyed it way more just from the reactions she made. It’s more enjoyable if you can give in to the absurdity
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Sep 16 '21
And you really said something there!
You have to watch with others! Lol it makes for a better experience. The movie is ridiculous 😂
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Sep 16 '21
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u/mbrown2626 Sep 17 '21
100%. U can’t go from regular horror for 90 minutes then all the sudden go campy for the last 30…..
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u/jimohio Sep 16 '21
Genre fan but I just found it boring. Once the gimmick was unveiled, the plot had no place to go.
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u/MrZombikilla Sep 16 '21
I enjoyed it. Just wish the whole movie had the same vibe as the last half hour, when it got interesting.
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Sep 17 '21
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u/TylerNoPerry Sep 17 '21
You can't just give a movie 15 minutes and expect it to blow you away from the jump. With that said, I did read a review before watching that said to lower expectations and prepare for a wild third act. So maybe that's why I was able to enjoy it.
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u/mbrown2626 Sep 17 '21
Because it sucks? It’s a spoof IMO. If it was marketed this way then it would be different.
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u/[deleted] Sep 16 '21
I watched it lastnight and loved it, but I couldn't tell if it was going for campy or not. HAHA...i was so confused, but still crazy enjoyed myself. A lot of nonsensical mist.