Watch Malevolence

Malevolence is a 2013 horror movie directed by Stevan Mena. The film takes place in 1989 and follows a group of criminals who are on the run from the law. During their escape, they stumble upon a secluded house in rural Pennsylvania where they decide to take shelter. However, the house they have entered is not as empty as they thought it was.

The movie begins with Martin Bristol, a young boy who has been kidnapped and held captive in a basement for several years. The kidnapper, a man named Graham Sutter, uses Martin in his twisted experiments where he removes his limbs and performs surgeries on him. The audience watches as Martin is transformed into a monster, physically and mentally scarred for life. This opening sequence sets the tone for the rest of the movie and provides a glimpse of the malevolence that lurks within.

The main storyline picks up a few years after Martin's kidnapping and shows a group of bank robbers led by Julian (played by Nathan Abramson) and Mary (played by Charese Scott-Cooper) who are on the run after a botched robbery. They end up in rural Pennsylvania and decide to hide out in a deserted house they stumble upon. Little do they know, the very same house is where Martin Bristol was held captive and is now being controlled by Sutter's malevolent reign.

As the robbers attempt to regroup and plan their next move, they are unaware that they are being watched by Sutter and his protégé, an adult Martin (played by Spencer List). Soon enough, the two groups' paths cross and chaos ensues. The robbers, already rattled by their failed heist, are now faced with the horrors of the past, embodied by a vengeful Martin and a psychotic Sutter.

The atmosphere of Malevolence is eerie and foreboding, with the use of muted colors and a haunting score that enhances the tension onscreen. The movie takes its time to build suspense and create an unnerving feeling that lingers throughout. The violence is graphic, and the gore factor is high, so viewers who are squeamish might want to steer clear.

The cast of Malevolence performs admirably, with the standout being Spencer List as the grown-up Martin. He brings a quiet intensity to the role, bordering on mania, which makes for a chilling and captivating performance. Nathan Abramson and Charese Scott-Cooper also deliver strong performances as the bickering duo of robbers. The rest of the cast, including Casey Blake and Ian Sims, do well in their supporting roles.

One of the most significant strengths of Malevolence is its ability to subvert genre expectations. It seems like a typical slasher film on the surface, but it takes the genre to new places by introducing complex characters and backstories. The movie interweaves the past and present, fleshing out the world-building and making the house Sutter controls feel like a fully realized character. The movie also does an excellent job of creating sympathy for Martin, who is a victim of circumstances beyond his control.

Overall, Malevolence is an intense and gruesome horror movie that does an excellent job of delivering a twisted and macabre story. It's not for everyone, as it can be quite violent and gory, but for those who are fans of the genre, it's worth watching. The suspenseful atmosphere, the haunting score, and the well-crafted characters make for a movie that transcends the typical cliches of the slasher genre.

Malevolence is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 5 minutes.