Malevolent
Performance & Direction: Malevolent Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Malevolent (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Malevolent features a noteworthy lineup led by Florence Pugh . Supported by the likes of Ben Lloyd-Hughes and Celia Imrie , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Malevolent (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.0/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: Malevolent
Quick Plot Summary: Malevolent is a Horror film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A brother-sister team who fake paranormal encounters for cash get more than they bargained for when a job at a haunted estate turns very, very real. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Malevolent
Ending Breakdown: Malevolent attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Malevolent reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Malevolent?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Malevolent
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Malevolent Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Netflix
Netflix Standard with AdsMalevolent Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about Malevolent age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Malevolent is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.0/10, and global performance metrics, Malevolent is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malevolent worth watching?
Malevolent is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Malevolent parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Malevolent identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Malevolent?
The total duration of Malevolent is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.
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Critic Reviews for Malevolent
Florence Pugh is a great actress buy you'd be better off watching her in Lady Macbeth. This one was rather boring and unoriginal. I didn't find it particularly scary and instead of it being a creep ghost movie, it sorta turns into an annoying torture-fest by the end. Poorly developed characters and a lack of scares, along with lackluster atmosphere means I'll give it 5/10 stars. It would be lower but I gave it a bonus star just cuz I like Miss Pugh.
Malevolent did not capture my attention at all. Boring and old hat as they come, _Malevolent_ might have been worth my money, (because I watched it on a Netflix account that I don't pay for, so that money was zero) but it was not worth my time, or yours. _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._
Bad watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend. The movie description didn't do this justice: it makes it sound like a "Scooby Doo" episode that turns real, when it should have been closer to "Don't Breathe". And that's where most of my contention comes in: the misdirection plot of needing money was completely unnecessary and a waste of time. Florence Pugh worked her ass off to carry the movie, and Celia Imrie does creepy old lady well enough, but I think the character was written badly and she just couldn't do anything with it. The story itself, the actual events that are happening are fantastic, and I was shocked to see this as a 2020 movie. With proper production value, and a decent cast, this should have easily been a movie that people talked about. While it's not quite "Girl Next Door" levels of traumatic, it's enough to easily make you feel bad for the ghosts, but I didn't give a crap about any of the protagonists: I just couldn't see why I should. A lot of the time I was mad they were even still doing ghost stuff because of all the friction in the first act.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
