Malice Review: David Duchovny & Jack Whitehall Face Off in a Twisty Revenge Thriller

by

Even though David Duchovny appears briefly in the opening credits of Malice, it’s good to see the former X-Files star back on screen. While creator James Woods delivers a fairly standard family drama – and throws in an awkward performance by Jack Whitehall – Malice at least tries to be unique. Carice van Houten completes the central trio, playing the wife of Jamie, a finance broker portrayed by Duchovny. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Greece, the story slowly reveals unsettling truths about the developing relationships before taking a dark turn.

Though promoted as a revenge thriller, the film Malice has an interesting creative force behind it: producer Georgina Lowe, known for her work with director Mike Leigh. Her involvement suggests a level of quality and thoughtfulness. However, Malice unfolds so slowly that many viewers might miss these subtleties. The film is saved by a performance that initially seems like a publicity stunt, but ultimately proves to be its strongest asset, even if the overall story isn’t particularly impressive.

Jack Whitehall Has Come a Long Way Since Jungle Cruise

After gaining recognition for his touching role alongside Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in Jungle Cruise, British comedian Jack Whitehall has consistently created opportunities for himself. His new film, Malice, marks a shift towards more serious roles, where he plays Adam Healey, a private tutor. Over the past ten years, Whitehall has successfully built a reputation as a trustworthy and dependable character, largely thanks to his portrayal of public-school types. This image, solidified by roles in shows like Bad Education and alongside his father on Netflix, continues to serve him well.

The film Malice aims to peel back layers and give its main character a fresh start, showing a more nuanced personality. Adam skillfully pretends to be agreeable, masking his intelligence with a believable facade – he’s always cautious and carefully observes his surroundings. While viewers who’ve seen the trailer might have certain expectations, those who go in knowing nothing will be pleasantly surprised by how the story unfolds.

Adam presents himself with perfect manners and social grace, easily blending in despite a noticeable accent. While he seems to fulfill every expected stereotype, he uses this to his advantage, appearing friendly, charming, and completely reliable. But behind this polished exterior lies a hidden side – a person who remains a mystery, and who may be involved in some shady dealings.

I’m really hooked by how Whitehall operates in Malice. He’s a master at manipulation, constantly leading everyone on and making you wonder what he’ll do next – it’s like he’s playing a high-stakes game of poker, and we’re all forced to watch. Now that the news about his involvement is out, it’s clear things are getting seriously intense and darker than before.

Malice Overcomes Mediocrity Thanks to David Duchovny

Known for his role in Californication, David Duchovny plays Jamie Tanner, a successful finance broker who seems to have a perfect life – money, status, connections, and a loving partner, Natalie. But things aren’t what they appear, and Jamie’s carefully built world begins to crumble when Adam enters the picture. Adam initially complies with Jamie’s demands as an employee, but later becomes involved in the unfolding events, allowing himself to be drawn into Jamie’s life.

The core ideas in Malice – exploring identity and the facades people present – aren’t groundbreaking; American Psycho famously delves into this territory. However, Malice doesn’t try to be as dark or shocking as Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, even though Duchovny has played characters facing dangerous unknowns before.

David Duchovny portrays Jamie Tanner as a confident and experienced businessman, though with a hidden sensitivity. While seemingly impenetrable in the world of business and start-ups, Tanner is deeply affected by his family. He’s fiercely protective of them, sometimes to an overbearing degree, walking a delicate balance between being a controlling father and a loving one. This makes for a cautious and slow connection when Adam visits his home, as both men carefully try to understand each other.

The film relies heavily on familiar tropes – like characters bonding over drinks and fluctuating power struggles – and features some manipulative plot devices. While not as suspenseful as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, it definitely pushes a specific point of view. Despite these weaknesses, David Duchovny and Hugh Whitehall deliver strong performances that lift Malice above its somewhat predictable story, creating genuine tension. Carice van Houten’s performance as Natalie Tanner further enhances the film.

The GOT Veteran Finds Substance in a Supporting Role

Carice van Houten has been acting for over twenty years, even appearing in films with Tom Cruise, but she’s still widely recognized for her role as the enigmatic Melisandre in Game of Thrones, which earned her an Emmy nomination. Her new role in Malice is more grounded, but she still brings a special quality to the character of Natalie Tanner, making the story better despite some predictable plot points.

I’ve always felt that actresses playing wives and mothers on screen rarely get the chance to truly shine – they’re often just there to support the male lead and stay pretty flat. While Carice van Houten doesn’t fully get to show off her incredible range in Malice, I was captivated by her scenes with Jason Whitehall. She brings such subtlety – a look, a small gesture – that completely shifts their relationship and reveals a genuine, believable tenderness. Those little moments made me realize just how good Malice could have been if it had taken more risks and allowed its characters to be more than just what was expected.

Malice Feels Like a Wasted Opportunity

Considering the talented cast, viewers might anticipate Malice being a truly great film. While it has all the ingredients for success, the movie ultimately relies too heavily on its actors to carry it. Even with their strong performances, Malice still feels familiar and lacks originality.

Honestly, the supporting actors felt a little wasted. Christine Adams, who I recognize from other things, just didn’t have much to do – she was mostly there as someone for the main character to vent to. Her character, Jules, felt really underdeveloped, and her story didn’t really go anywhere satisfying. Raza Jaffrey, who was great in The Serpent Queen, had a similar problem. He played Christine’s husband, Damien, but even with everyone trying their best, the plot twists involving him felt forced and messy. It’s a shame because the actors are talented, but the writing didn’t give them much to work with.

Even a surprising and impactful plot twist isn’t enough to make Malice feel fresh. As the story relies more and more on predictable coincidences, viewers might start to question if the ending will be satisfying. Whether or not it is largely depends on how much the audience connects with the actors, who consistently give it their all. Ultimately, the show is probably best enjoyed by simply relaxing and letting it entertain you.

With Malice, Jack Whitehall takes his first real step into darker roles, and the result is enjoyable, though not groundbreaking. Amazon Studios made a smart move by giving him a strong supporting cast, even if not all their parts are crucial. While Whitehall’s the main draw, both Duchovny and van Houten deliver solid performances, creating a watchable show that’s unlikely to frustrate viewers with complexity or unexpected twists. The series also suggests that, with the right project, Whitehall could potentially take on a truly standout role, similar to the one he might have had in Se7en.

Malice is now streaming on Prime Video.

Read More

2025-11-14 17:11