Sometimes, when I am deciding which scary movie to watch, I will just scroll through Netflix until I see a title and a cover image that entices me. There is a whole section of different types of horror films, it can sometimes be overwhelming to look at each one, and make an informed decision, so I just guess. I just close my eyes and scroll until I stop on one. I do not have the energy to do anything more.
Sometimes this decision-making process is conscious, sometimes it is unconscious. This time around it was conscious. The title and the cover image hooked me, spurring me to read the premise. Something about both the cover image and the premise made me hit that play button.
I am a particular fan of paranormal movies. I like it when there are ghosts and evil spirits haunting a house. The premise of this film promised just that, so I was excited and ready for one of my first spooky movies of the season!
Film Title: Malevolent
Year of Release: 2018
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
(Info gathered from Netflix)
Rating: 5/10
This wasn’t a bad movie. I watched it through, and I enjoyed certain aspects of it. However, there was a disconnect for me that stopped me from being thoroughly terrified, which is definitely the goal of scary movies.
This movie was about a brother and sister who were fake paranormal investigators to get some extra cash. They had a whole set up, including camera crews and fake jump scares that they set up for their unsuspecting victims. The plan was going fine until they arrive at a house that might actually be haunted, and they were far out of their depths.
The cast of this movie was great. I thought Florence Pugh and Ben Loyd-Hughes were fantastic in their roles as brother and sister. The storyline was super unique and unlike anything I have watched before. I have never seen a film about fake paranormal investigators, and I enjoyed exploring that idea.
Another thing I enjoyed was the logistical aspect. One of my least favorite things about horror films is that 90% of the movie is in the dark, and I can barely see what is happening. The lighting designer of Malevolent was brilliant in ensuring that the dark scenes were visible. It was clear, and it makes the movie-watching experience much more enjoyable. In these clear moments, the suspense, using sound and visuals were well done.
What really held this movie back was the pacing. It was incredibly slow, and there was not a lot of plot that actually happens during the duration of the hour and a half film. I found myself looking at my phone, waiting for something exciting to happen, and those moments never actually happened.
There were also not a lot of jump scares, and it made the movie feel like it was on a flat line, that line not moving in either direction.
The film creators missed the mark in creating horror, leaving out some of the best aspects of the genre. I loved the paranormal themes that were included in the movie but was disappointed by the lack of key horror film elements like a fast-paced plot and scares.
This was my first horror movie of the season, and I think I am starting off on a good foot. It wasn’t the worst movie I have seen, but it wasn’t the best either. There is still room to improve.
Writing this review was a fun experience. I am so used to writing book reviews on my other blog, Bookish Coffee Blog, that it was interesting transferring that over to films. I will be doing a couple more of these over the next month, for Blogtober, so stay tuned!
2 Comments
I agree! It is definitely hit or miss with new movies, on whether they will be good or not.
[…] it every year. If you have read a couple of the horror film reviews I have written on my blog, like this one and this one, you know that I love paranormal stories. I love the trope of a haunted house and […]