Watch Malicious

Malicious is a 1995 thriller that revolves around the life of college baseball star, Michael Metzger, portrayed by Patrick McGaw, whose promising life and career are thrown into chaos when he gets entangled with an alluring woman named Melissa Nelson, played by the iconic 80s actress Molly Ringwald. Known for her roles in teenage dramas, Ringwald presents a shift in image as she embodies the role of the seductive and mysterious protagonist.

At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to Michael as an accomplished athlete on the verge of making it big. He has everything going for him: talent, recognition, and the love of his devoted girlfriend, who supports him both emotionally and in his sporting endeavours. His straightforward life takes a sharp, dangerous turn when he crosses paths with Melissa during one of his baseball games. Melissa is an enigmatic figure who immediately shows an interest in him.

Melissa is an attractive new student at the college, and Michael finds himself drawn to her. Her charisma is magnetic, her beauty undeniable, and soon enough Michael is entranced by her. Despite the gut feeling that something about Melissa might be off, Michael is quickly trapped in her web of seduction.

As their relationship escalates rapidly, it become evident that Melissa's intentions are not as innocent as they first seemed. Her infatuation with Michael evolves into an obsession that knows no bounds. Her desires become demands, her affection turns suffocating. When Michael tries to establish boundaries, Melissa's behavior escalates to a series of manipulative and insidious acts that threaten to destroy everything Michael holds dear.

Caught in a situation far beyond his control, Michael must navigate the increasingly dangerous scenarios Melissa constructs. His reputation, his future, and even his safety are put in jeopardy as Melissa stops at nothing to possess him. His academic and athletic lives start to crumble as Melissa's fixation grows ever more toxic.

John Vernon plays Dr. Lawrence Brill, a character who comes to play a pivotal role in the story. As a figure of authority, Dr. Brill's entanglement in the main character's affairs adds additional layers to the suspenseful narrative, complicating Michael's situation further and dialing up the tension as he attempts to extricate himself from Melissa's destructive grip.

The direction of the film by Ian Corson is structured to escalate tension, drawing the audience into the dynamic and often unsettling relationship between Michael and Melissa. Scenes are crafted to create a palpable sense of danger, leaving the viewers with a sense of unease about what action Melissa might concoct next.

The setting of a college campus serves as the perfect backdrop, symbolically representing a time in life when people are exploring boundaries, relationships, and personal identity. The film plays on these themes by pushing the boundaries of a typical college romance to its psychological extremes. It delves into the dark side of attraction and the line between love and obsession.

Malicious also touches on the themes of control and power dynamics in relationships. As Melissa's fixation grows, we observe the shifting power dynamics between her and Michael. At first, it seems Michael has the upper hand, able to keep Melissa at arm's length, but as the storyline progresses, the balance of power shifts and Michael finds himself powerless against Melissa's tactics that become increasingly devious and harmful.

The movie, laced with suspense and erotic undertones, delves into the darkness that can lie underneath the surface of human relationships, making "Malicious" a psychological thriller that aims to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its mix of romance, danger, and high-stakes drama, the film seeks to resonate with audiences who are drawn to tales of love gone awry and the perils of obsession.

The cast's performances, notably Ringwald’s turn as the antagonist, bring life to the characters and contribute significantly to the movie's chilling atmosphere. The film is a departure from Molly Ringwald's usual roles, allowing her to stretch her acting prowess in portraying a femme fatale.

For thriller enthusiasts looking for psychological intrigue, Malicious delivers a narrative of enthrallment and jeopardy through a tale of love that turns toxically obsessive, affirming that sometimes the most dangerous enemies can be those hidden in plain sight, cloaked in the guise of love and affection. The film asks its audience how well they can truly know someone, and what might happen when infatuation crosses the line into something far more sinister.

Malicious is a 1995 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.