In ‘The Malicious’, writer/director Noel Vinson serves a harrowing slice of horror that feels as polished as any feature length would – but bites with the intimacy of a short. With skilled cinematography by Timothy Carr, this short delivers in suspense, dread, and visual storytelling.
Beth (Jacki Mison) and Robert (Matthew R. Grego) are a married couple clinging to the ruins of convention. She’s the obedient housewife, nursing a mysterious head wound. He’s cold, dismissive – unlikable from the moment he enters the frame. Their dynamic is brittle, love long decayed. It’s during a dinner laced with tension that a flash of light in the garden interrupts their fractured ritual. From there, the spiral begins.
Vinson weaponizes genre. The dialogue-heavy first act works wonders, subtly building character while cranking the pressure. When horror finally erupts, it does so with force. The film is gripping, unrelenting, and utterly terrifying.
Sound design is another standout aspect. Every blood-curdling jolt is expertly placed, dragging the viewer deeper into the terror. Expect jump scares that don’t feel cheap, and a demonic presence that haunts more than it explains.
Mison and Grego are superb. Their performances simmer with restrained unease, and when things finally boil over, it’s both horrifying and heartbreakingly tragic.
‘The Malicious’ ticks all the right boxes—and then some. Its technical excellence and gripping narrative are exceptional. It’s rare for a short film to feel this full, this cinematic. A chilling treat. No spoilers—but trust, it delivers. A true horror triumph. A must watch.
