For over two decades, James Wan has proven himself to be one of the most influential voices in modern horror. His journey began in 2004 with Saw, a low-budget film he co-wrote and directed that became a surprise hit and revived the horror genre. After Dead Silence in 2007, Wan cemented his legacy with the successes of Insidious in 2010 and The Conjuring in 2013, both of which became major franchises. Following The Conjuring 2 in 2016 and his work on the superhero film Aquaman, Wan returned to horror in 2021 with Malignant.
Malignant marked Wan’s return to horror but with a strikingly different approach. The film began as a stylish homage to Italian giallo horror before transforming into something far more bizarre and original. With its shocking and unpredictable climax, Malignant became one of the most talked-about horror movies of the decade. Its boldness and creativity showcased Wan’s ability to subvert audience expectations while still delivering genuine scares.
The story opens in 1993 at Simion Research Hospital, where Dr. Florence Weaver is treating a violent and mysterious patient named Gabriel. Chaos erupts when Gabriel breaks free, killing several staff members with unnatural strength before being sedated. Dr. Weaver declares, “It’s time we cut out the cancer,” as the camera reveals Gabriel’s twisted and deformed body. This chilling prologue establishes him as both monstrous and human, creating a disturbing sense of intrigue for what lies ahead.
Annabelle Wallis as Madison Mitchell (Malignant/New Line Cinema)Madison’s Violent Past Resurfaces as a Shadowy Killer Links to Her Trauma
In the present day, the audience meets Madison Mitchell, a woman whose life is filled with tragedy. Pregnant and living with her abusive husband, Derek, Madison endures a violent assault that leaves her head injured. That night, Derek is brutally murdered by a shadowy figure, and Madison suffers another miscarriage. Soon after, she begins to experience terrifying visions of murders, realizing that they may be connected to the same killer. Her reality starts to unravel as she questions her own sanity.
Detective Kekoa Shaw leads the investigation into the murders that Madison describes in her visions. The killer, dressed in black and moving in a distorted, inhuman way, seems to be taunting both Madison and the police. Madison confides in her sister Sydney that she was adopted and has no memories of her life before childhood. Meanwhile, the killer, now known as Gabriel, continues his spree, kidnapping a woman and speaking through electronic devices. The mystery deepens as Madison’s connection to Gabriel becomes impossible to ignore.
Madison Uncovers Gabriel’s Dark Origin and Battles Her Parasitic Twin for Control
Madison’s psychic bond with Gabriel grows stronger, allowing her to witness each murder through his eyes. When detectives discover clues from her past, Madison learns that she once had an imaginary friend named Gabriel as a child. This revelation sets off a series of shocking discoveries. After a kidnapped woman falls through the ceiling of Madison’s home, revealed to be her biological mother, the police arrest Madison, believing her to be responsible for the crimes.
Sydney investigates Madison’s past and uncovers old medical tapes that reveal the horrifying truth. Gabriel is not imaginary but Madison’s parasitic conjoined twin, partially attached to the back of her head and body. Doctors had tried to remove him during childhood, but were forced to leave part of him inside her brain. When Derek smashed Madison’s head, the injury reawakened Gabriel, allowing him to take control of her body and carry out his brutal acts of revenge.
In the final act, Gabriel fully possesses Madison’s body, revealing why his movements appear unnatural. He is controlling her backward, giving the illusion of a grotesque, superhuman killer. In a violent rampage, Gabriel kills several inmates and police officers before confronting Madison’s family. Madison ultimately finds the strength to reclaim control, trapping Gabriel inside her mind. The film ends with Madison reunited with her sister and mother, while the audience is left with the unsettling thought that Gabriel may one day return.
