Malum

I was interested in Malum as soon as I heard about it. When I heard that it was going to have a limited theatrical release, I wanted to try to see it while in theaters. The only problem I had was that there were no showings close to me that I could find. That’s one of the reasons that I was excited when I heard that it was available digitally. I had enjoyed Last Shift when I watched and reviewed it.

Anthony DiBlasi and Scott Poiley returned to write Malum with DiBlasi much like he had in Last Shift. The returning writers were able to expand upon the story in interesting ways. The expanding of the cult and everything connected to it brings something to the story that I didn’t know it needed. The increased budget was felt in how the movie was shot. The use of where Malum was shot in Kentucky gave the movie a different grimier feel than the first version of the story.

Jessica Sula, Candice Coke, Chaney Morrow, Natalie Victoria, Britt George, Eric Olson, Clarke Wolfe, and Morgan Lennon did a great job. Jessica Sula did a great job in the reimagined and fleshed out version of Jessica Loren in this movie. This version of the character went through more than in Last Shift, this made me feel more for the character. Morrow, Victoria, Wolfe, and Lennon all make the cult much more terrifying than they were in Last Shift. Morrow’s version of John Malum is given much more screentime and is given more weight by the cult members.

The effects in Malum are great. The practical effects are outstanding and the only think I had any problem with was the Baron or the Low God, I don’t really know what to call it. It was well made but the design looked a little goofy to me. The visual effects are used to amplify the practical effects. The set and costume designers did outstanding jobs. The music by Samuel Laflamme fits the movie perfectly.

Malum is a great expanding and reimagining of Last Shift. While I did enjoy most of the movie, the ending is where I had the biggest issue much like I did with Last Shift. It wasn’t even as much the actual ending, but the pre-credits stinger jump scare thing. Aside from my personal gripes with I think Malum is an improvement in several ways on the already fantastic Last Shift. I recommend you checking it out. I give Malum 7.5 shotguns out of 10. [kofi]