A lacklustre thriller: Jack Whitehall’s miscast role in *Malice*
The new psychological thriller *Malice* fails to deliver on suspense and tension, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment, reports BritPanorama.
Jack Whitehall stars as Adam, a tutor who infiltrates the affluent Tanner family, comprised of venture capitalist Jamie, played by David Duchovny, and fashion designer Nat, portrayed by Carice van Houten. As Adam becomes increasingly entwined in their lives, he instigates chaos in increasingly extravagant and lethal ways.
The series begins at the Tanners’ luxury villa in coastal Greece, where the couple’s disconnection is glaringly apparent. An attempt at intimacy turns into an awkward spectacle, foreshadowing the clumsy execution of the show’s dramatic elements that follow. What should build suspense instead feels like a drawn-out farce.
Whitehall’s character, initially presented as charismatic, engages with the family’s children and entertains the parents with poetry and knowledge of Greek mythology. However, Adam’s true intentions soon surface as he embarks on a destructive path that includes manipulating the family dynamics and ultimately wreaking havoc in their lives.
After a mysterious incident involving the family’s nanny, Adam is brought into their London home, where his vendetta accelerates. His actions, ranging from the disposal of family pets to tarnishing Jamie’s reputation, lack motivation, creating a disconnect for viewers. This vague reasoning does not enhance the character but instead leaves audiences bewildered.
Whitehall has a history of demonstrating emotional range in previous comedies, yet here, he appears miscast. His performance is flat and devoid of the depth needed to illuminate Adam’s character. Duchovny, noted for his Emmy-nominated roles, also delivers a lacklustre performance, struggling to convey the anger required in his role.
The motivations behind Adam’s destructive behavior come off as thinly veiled, with the narrative bogged down in uninteresting details, such as excessive focus on his pet snake instead of meaningful character development. This contributes to a storyline that lacks cohesion.
The failings of *Malice* are not solely attributable to Whitehall; the entire production suffers from slow pacing, erratic dialogue, and a glaring absence of the suspense necessary for a thriller. As the plot unfolds, many threads feel unresolved, leaving viewers disenchanted. The series ultimately falls flat, making it a struggle to stay engaged.
Despite initial anticipation, *Malice* delivers an uninspired viewing experience. Ultimately, the question lingers: How could a thriller miss the mark so dramatically?
*Malice* is streaming on Prime Video.
