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Action thriller

Malignant (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Malignant (2021) movie poster

Malignant is a 2021 action thriller directed by James Wan, starring Jacqueline McKenzie as Dr. Florence Weaver, Christian Clemenson and Annabelle Wallis. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $34.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
77%
worldwide gross
$34.9M
Echo Score
50
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Malignant (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
James Wan
Genres
Action , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Malignant About?

The premise of Malignant without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A woman haunted by disturbing visions finds her grip on reality loosening as her darkest fears become terrifyingly real. She is plunged into a desperate fight to understand the source of her torment and the gruesome truths behind her visions, before they overwhelm her completely.

Malignant Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • woman in jeopardy
  • body horror
  • giallo esque
  • abandoned mental hospital
  • pregnant woman
  • psychotic killer
  • parasitic twin
  • abusive husband
  • imaginary friend
  • serial killer
  • gore
  • retro horror
+38 more
  • evil twin
  • conjoined twins
  • evil sibling
  • evil brother
  • home invasion
  • domestic violence
  • female protagonist
  • monster
  • dream
  • blood
  • vision
  • serial murder
  • death of husband
  • year 1985
  • blood splatter
  • good twin versus evil twin
  • twin versus twin
  • telephone terror
  • seattle underground
  • underground tunnel
  • one against many
  • women in prison
  • psychiatric hospital
  • hospital
  • voice in head
  • dark house
  • creepy house
  • old house
  • abusive imaginary friend
  • evil imaginary friend
  • night terror
  • murder spree
  • doctor patient relationship
  • kidnapping
  • abandoned building
  • murder investigation
  • woken up by noises
  • stylized violence
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Cast & crew

Malignant Cast & Characters

Jacqueline McKenzie leads the cast as Dr. Florence Weaver, with Christian Clemenson as Dr. Victor Fields and Annabelle Wallis as Madison Mitchell. Directed by James Wan; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from James Wan

More films directed by James Wan, best-rated first: The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, Furious 7 and Aquaman.

Full filmography
Ratings

Malignant Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Malignant 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in character & emotion (25).

50 /100

Malignant Echo Score Breakdown

Malignant delivers a visually striking experience but is undermined by an uneven narrative and weak performances. Critics acknowledge James Wan’s bold direction and vivid color palette, yet repeatedly note confusing plot structure and dialogue that detracts from tension. User feedback mirrors this split, praising the cinematography while criticizing pacing and character depth. The combination of strong sensory elements with a faltering story results in a film that feels more like a styled showcase than a cohesive horror entry.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film is widely praised. Critics highlight Wan’s confident style, striking red palette, and inventive camera work that create memorable horror moments. Users echo this sentiment, noting polished cinematography and striking set pieces. However, some mention an overreliance on style that does not compensate for narrative shortcomings. Overall, the artistic execution rates highly despite its narrative flaws.

  • Character & Emotion 25

    Characterization suffers across both critical and audience responses. Reviews consistently point to uneven performances, flat dialogue, and a lack of emotional depth in the protagonists and supporting cast. The villain is described as incomprehensible, and the heroine’s reactions are deemed irritating. While a few note occasional chemistry, the prevailing view is that the weak acting and shallow character development diminish the film’s impact.

  • Story & Flow 38

    The storyline is frequently characterized as disjointed and sluggish. Critics mention a promising premise that becomes muddled by uneven pacing and forgettable dialogue. Users echo these concerns, describing the plot as boring, slow to develop, and reliant on an underwhelming twist. Although occasional intrigue is noted in the final act, the overall narrative fails to sustain engagement throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 74

    The sensory presentation stands out as a primary strength. Reviewers commend the film’s vivid red hues, effective sound design, and immersive visual style that generate genuine tension in early sequences. Both critics and viewers acknowledge the polished cinematography and atmospheric scoring. Nonetheless, some argue that the sensory focus overshadows narrative cohesion. In sum, the sensory elements elevate the viewing experience despite storytelling weaknesses.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Replay value is limited, as the film’s novelty wanes after an initial burst of visual flair. Critics note that the style-driven approach reduces the desire for multiple viewings, and audience scores reflect low enthusiasm for revisiting. While certain set pieces may intrigue repeat viewers, the overall consensus is that the movie does not reward frequent rewatching.

Plot

Malignant Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Malignant from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1993, Dr. Florence Weaver and her colleagues, Victor Fields and John Gregory, worked with a unique psychiatric patient named Gabriel at Simion Research Hospital. Gabriel possessed extraordinary abilities, including controlling electricity and transmitting his thoughts through speakers. However, one fateful night, he unleashed his fury, resulting in the tragic deaths of multiple staff members.

Full summary

The whole story of Malignant, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Malignant Box Office & Budget

Malignant grossed $34.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 87% of what it cost. $13.4 million came from the US and Canada and $21.5 million (62%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$34.9M

87% of its budget back

US & Canada
$13.4M
International
$21.5M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 38% Rest of the world 62%
Videos

Malignant Trailers & Videos

12 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 4 clips, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 12 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser Malignant | Rain Promo
  • Teaser James Wan's Malignant | Do Not Open Promo
  • Teaser Malignant - Full Bleed
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Malignant?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year did the events at Simion Research Hospital take place?

Details

Malignant Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Silvercup” and “肿瘤侠”.

Also known as
  • Silvercup
  • 肿瘤侠
  • 致命感应
  • 惡煞
  • Maligno
  • Злокобен
  • Η Ενσάρκωση του Κακού
  • Eleven kór
  • マリグナント 狂暴な悪夢
  • มาลิกแนนท์ ชั่วโคตรร้าย
  • Malfaisant
  • Ļaundabīgais
+17 more
  • 말리그넌트
  • Malignant Man
  • Zhoubné zlo
  • Злое
  • Втілення зла
  • Vtelenie zla
  • 疾厄
  • Wcielenie
  • Habis
  • מורעל
  • Zloćudno
  • Hiện Thân Tà Ác
  • Злоћудно
  • Pahalane
  • Piktybinis
  • Malignant: Încarnarea răului
  • Zloben, ავთვისებიანი

Seen Malignant?

FAQ

Malignant FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Malignant, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Malignant?

Malignant runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Malignant released?

Malignant was released on September 10, 2021.

Who directed Malignant?

Malignant was directed by James Wan.

More films by James Wan

Who is in the cast of Malignant?

Malignant stars Jacqueline McKenzie as Dr. Florence Weaver, Christian Clemenson as Dr. Victor Fields and Annabelle Wallis as Madison Mitchell, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Malignant make at the box office?

Malignant grossed $34.9 million worldwide ($13.4 million domestic, $21.5 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Malignant rated?

Malignant has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Malignant have a post-credit scene?

No. Malignant has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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