Malfaisant

I don't think anything can prepare you for what this is. I suspected there would be something wild afoot, but even that didn't prepare me. What happens is actually pretty insane and creative, but the execution of it is so ridiculous that you just can't take it seriously.

Given how cheesy this movie was at the start and knowing James Wan was the director, I figured they had to be in on it and doing it intentionally. But as the film progresses, you realize they're actually playing it completely straight and it's honestly just that bad. This movie really isn't scary either which was surprising.

The camerawork is big highlight and the over-the-top 80s music was pretty fun. You can tell Wan was trying to make a throwback here, but he forgot the self-awareness that's necessary for movies like this. I know some people are saying the camp is intentional, but even if it is, it could have been executed far better than this.

I will give Wan credit for creating a truly original horror film that actually surprised me. Whether you like it or not, we should applaud more filmmaking that takes chances and doesn't completely give away what a movie is about beforehand.

People are always whining that no one tries anything new in Hollywood, well here it is. Sure it borrows elements from other movies but it's a fresh take. Turn your brain off and just enjoy the ride. If you're a true horror fan, I mean one who devours all things horror, you'll love it.

I had fun with this movie. They just went nuts and it was amazing. For a lot of the movie, I had problems with choices the characters were making. I was worried that when it got to the end, I was going to feel like it wasn't plausible enough. Well, that wasn't a problem, because this movie is so far off the rails, you'd be a goof to complain about realism. I appreciate what they did here, and I wish more movies could take things this far. Did I mention this movie is completely crazy?

It's a gory horror movie with some hilarious moments that are probably not intentional. It's not built for someone who watches a movie to go "this isn't realistic, one star" to enjoy. James Wan included plenty of well shot and acted scenes of horror that are more entertaining than they are actually scary. I'll take a big silly swing like this over something in the Conjuring universe any day of the week.

Oh no, a positive review. I must be either a bot or a paid studio shill. Good lord, people are such drama queens these days.

James Wan's latest film is a fun and gory love letter to the Italian horror movies of the 1980's. With that, much like the Italian horror movies of the 80's, it is style over substance. It embraces it's outlandish premise, and totally revels in it's campiness, and delivers a stylish, over-the-top, gory romp with a totally bonkers 3rd act. If you don't enjoy movies with a high camp factor, look elsewhere. As for me, I had a damn good time at this thing.