00:00From the director of the modern horror classic The Strangers, comes a new tale of terror.
00:06But does it live up to the legacy?
00:08Today, we are reviewing Vicious.
00:11The latest film from director Brian Bertino starring Dakota Fanning.
00:14Hailed as Bertino's big comeback, expectations were incredibly high.
00:19So, did it deliver the scares we were all waiting for?
00:24Let us break it down.
00:25The story centers on Polly, a woman trying to rebuild her life while living alone in her family's old, isolated
00:31home.
00:32The quiet is shattered one night by a knock at the door.
00:35A mysterious older woman, played by the unsettling Catherine Hunter, counts her way inside.
00:41She gives Polly a small wooden box and a terrifying ultimatum to survive the night.
00:47She must offer the box three things something she loves, something she hates, and something she needs.
00:54It is a genuinely clever and eerie premise with a ton of potential.
00:59Unfortunately, this is where the film's potential peaks.
01:03Vicious never manages to build on its intriguing setup.
01:06The pacing is painfully slow, and instead of building suspense, it creates confusion.
01:11The rules of the box are vague, and the danger never feels consistent or real, leaving you questioning the logic
01:18rather than fearing the outcome.
01:20Bertino leans heavily on gore and shock value to keep the horror alive, but this quickly becomes repetitive.
01:27The film lacks emotional buildup and suspense, descending into what feels like chaos, noise, and a pile of unanswered questions.
01:36Despite the messy narrative, Dakota Fanning gives a solid performance as Polly,
01:41a lonely woman desperately trying to hold her life together as it is torn apart.
01:46Catherine Hunter is equally committed, delivering an intense and unpredictable performance that, at times, feels more weird than genuinely scary.
01:57Ultimately, Vicious has all the ingredients for a chilling horror film, but is held back by poor writing and pacing.
02:03What could have been a haunting psychological story ends up feeling hollow and unsatisfying.
02:08It is sadly not the terrifying comeback fans hope for from the man behind The Strangers.
02:13If you are curious to see it for yourself, Vicious is currently available to stream on Paramount+.
02:18As for what is next, there is no confirmed news about a sequel.
02:22So, for now, this eerie tale stands alone.
02:25It is finally known.
02:26I'll see you later.
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