James Wan Returns to His Horror Roots with 'Malignant'

By Jen Maravegias | Film | July 20, 2021 |

By Jen Maravegias | Film | July 20, 2021 |

When I was little I had an imaginary friend named Jeep. He was made of those flashes of color I saw after I looked at a bright light (author’s note: Those are actually called phosphenes.) My parents thought it was really cute I had a little friend who lived in my closet, or who would sit under the table for me to talk to while we had dinner. (I also used to invite imaginary Nancy Drew to dinner but that’s a different post.) Anyway, one day I got really sick and had a fever dream that Jeep was trying to kill me. After that, I didn’t want him around anymore. But, you know, you can’t get rid of phosphenes. So we were stuck with each other and I was terrified of him. I eventually grew out of that and everything’s fine now. I’m a perfectly normal, functioning adult. Mostly.

I’m just super glad that Jeep didn’t turn out to be whatever it is that’s haunting Annabelle Wallis in James Wan’s upcoming horror thriller, Malignant.

This is a return to form for Wan who gave us Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring before he started directing action movies. It also stars Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White, Jacqueline McKenzie, Jake Abel, and Ingrid Bisu. In the film, Madison (Annabelle Wallis) is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.

It definitely looks like there’s more going on here than just super creepy visions. I think I might be afraid to watch this one alone.

Malignant will be released on September 10th in theaters nationwide and on HBO Max. It will be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release. Does someone want to come over and watch it with me?