Podcast Summary: "Matinee Monday: Malignant"
How Did This Get Made? is an award-winning comedy podcast hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas. In the episode titled "Matinee Monday: Malignant," released on October 21, 2024, the trio delves deep into James Wan's horror film Malignant. Celebrating bad movies with humor and insightful critique, the hosts analyze the film's plot, characters, technical aspects, and overall impact.
1. Introduction to Malignant
Paul Scheer opens the discussion by setting the stage for their Scaretober-themed episode, focusing on Malignant, a film that quickly became a fan favorite upon its release.
Paul Scheer [02:16]: "Hello people of Earth, and welcome to how did this Get Made? I am Tall John Scheer... starting off with a film that the day it came out... Malignant just came out."
2. Plot Overview and Initial Impressions
The hosts provide a spoiler-laden overview of the movie, discussing its convoluted plot involving a parasitic twin that wreaks havoc on the protagonist's life.
Jason Mantzoukas [03:49]: "Because for a good portion of the movie, it appears as though the killer is the imaginary friend of the lead... Malignant just turns out to be kind of a quado."
June Diane Raphael highlights the film's pacing, noting that the major twist occurs quite late, affecting the overall narrative flow.
June Diane Raphael [04:43]: "But then it's not... it's kind of a quado... It truly did feel like it happened in the last 10 minutes of the movie."
3. Themes and Scientific Accuracy
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the medical premise of a parasitic twin, referred to as "Malignant," and its representation in the film.
Paul Scheer [07:01]: "Way, that Jason was saying, a dermoid cyst... parasitic twin... always shares the same genetic material as the viable twin."
The hosts critique the film's scientific inaccuracies while acknowledging its attempt to blend horror with complex biological concepts.
Jason Mantzoukas [08:35]: "This movie is flouting science in that way. Otherwise, the movie is totally right on."
4. Character Analysis and Acting Performance
June Diane Raphael praises the main actress, Annabelle Wallis, for her compelling portrayal of Emily/Madison, despite the challenging dual role with Malignant.
June Diane Raphael [13:18]: "I was pretty entranced by the main actress... Annabelle Wallace... I just really loved her."
Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas discuss the difficulty of conveying fear and trauma when the antagonist shares the protagonist's body.
Paul Scheer [18:07]: "I didn't feel like we really got to see her. She seemed more shell shocked than frightened."
5. Technical Aspects: Cinematography and Special Effects
The hosts commend James Wan's direction, particularly the film's inventive camera work and choreographed fight scenes.
Jason Mantzoukas [11:54]: "There's a lot of very good tension in here. There's a lot of very imaginative camera work... like the floor plan of the home."
They also discuss the unsettling visual elements, such as Malignant's backwards movements and the rapid transformations.
Paul Scheer [14:22]: "I really was confused about that jail cell there."
6. Comparisons to Other Films
Malignant is compared to other horror and thriller genres, with mentions of Drop Dead Fred and Daniel Isn't Real as similar attempts to merge horror with fantastical elements.
Jason Mantzoukas [03:53]: "Because this movie posits the question, what if Drop Dead Fred was a horror movie?"
7. Audience Reception and Reviews
The hosts share varying audience reactions, highlighting polarized reviews where some viewers love the film's creativity while others find it lacking in coherence.
Paul Scheer [72:58]: "A lot of people have been talking about this movie and it walks this fine line of being completely insane, but really kind of fun to watch."
8. Potential for a Sequel
Excitement builds around the possibility of a sequel, with the hosts brainstorming ideas for continuing Malignant's story, including exploring Malignant's personality and potential heroic turns.
Jason Mantzoukas [58:27]: "I think a lot of that is James Wan is a fantastic filmmaker... this movie could have been like real schlocky and real kind of not worth the watch."
9. Conclusion and Recommendations
The hosts unanimously recommend watching Malignant, emphasizing its entertaining value despite its flaws. They suggest that knowing the film's twists in advance might enhance the viewing experience by highlighting clever nuances.
June Diane Raphael [80:03]: "I really did enjoy it. It was... fun to watch during spooky season."
10. Notable Quotes
- Jason Mantzoukas [06:03]: "This movie wants to have it both ways... is Gabriel corporeal or not?"
- Paul Scheer [11:54]: "There's some things that don't make sense. I will say that... the introduction to this husband..."
- June Diane Raphael [22:39]: "I think one of the things that I really couldn't ever understand..."
- Paul Scheer [75:19]: "Horror movies are the best at 90 minutes, people."
Final Thoughts
In "Matinee Monday: Malignant," How Did This Get Made? hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas provide a thorough and humorous examination of James Wan's Malignant. They navigate the film's complex narrative, appreciate its technical achievements, and candidly discuss its shortcomings. Balancing critique with genuine enjoyment, the hosts conclude that Malignant is a worthy addition to their collection of "best of the worst" movies, particularly appealing to horror enthusiasts looking for something unconventional.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Paul Scheer [02:16]: "Hello people of Earth, and welcome to how did this Get Made? I am Tall John Scheer..."
- Jason Mantzoukas [03:49]: "Malignant just turns out to be kind of a quado."
- June Diane Raphael [04:43]: "It truly did feel like it happened in the last 10 minutes of the movie."
- Paul Scheer [07:01]: "A parasitic twin is always the same gender."
- June Diane Raphael [13:18]: "I just really loved her."
- Jason Mantzoukas [58:27]: "This movie could have been like real schlocky and real kind of not worth the watch."
- June Diane Raphael [80:03]: "I really did enjoy it."
This summary encapsulates the hosts' comprehensive discussion on Malignant, highlighting their critical analysis, appreciation for certain elements, and overall endorsement of the film despite its mixed reception.