Malum (Latin: Evil)[4] is a 2023 American horror film directed by Anthony DiBlasi, who co-wrote the film with Scott Poiley. A remake of the 2014 film Last Shift, also directed by DiBlasi, the story sees a rookie cop who experiences paranormal occurrences at a decommissioned police station where she's working the final shift.[5][6] The cast includes Jessica Sula, Eric Olson, Chaney Morrow and Candice Coke.[5]
| Malum | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Anthony DiBlasi |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Sean McDaniel |
| Edited by | Anthony DiBlasi |
| Music by | Samuel Laflamme |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Welcome Villain Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $221,738[2][3] |
Malum was released theatrically in the United States on March 31, 2023, and received positive reviews from critics. It was released on video-on-demand (VOD) and digital platforms on May 16, 2023.
Premise
editA rookie cop takes the last shift at a decommissioned police station where members of a cult committed suicide years prior. When she begins experiencing paranormal occurrences throughout the night, she begins to uncover the truth about the cult and its connection to her family's past.
Cast
edit- Jessica Sula as Jessica Loren
- Eric Olson as Will Lorren
- Candice Coke as Diane
- Chaney Morrow as John Malum
- Britt George as Officer Grip Cohen
- Clarke Wolfe as Dorothea
- Morgan Lennon as Kitty
- Danielle Coyne as Birdie
- Kevin Wayne as Nate
- Natalie Victoria as Marigold
- Sam Brooks as Officer Price
- Christopher Matthew Spencer as Officer Hudson
- Monroe Cline as Betty
- Valerie Loo as Anna Cole
Production
editPrincipal photography took place on location in an abandoned prison in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, from August to September 2022.[7][8][9]
Release
editMalum received a theatrical release in the United States on March 31, 2023.[10] The film was released on video-on-demand (VOD) and digital platforms on May 16, 2023.[11][12]
Critical reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of 25 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Malum lures you to clock in for another Mason-esque Last Shift at a haunted police station with sheer blunt lore and gore."[13]
Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gave Malum three out of four stars, and wrote that the film is most "impressive when it turns its talented ensemble cast loose on material that was obviously a lot of fun to play with."[14] Matt Donago of Paste commended the film for its "gruesome indie [special] effects", and concluded that "DiBlasi delivers what Last Shift fans will once again enjoy. That's what's slightly disappointing: Malum differentiates [itself from Last Shift], but does it differentiate enough?"[15] The Austin Chronicle's Richard Whittaker gave the film two out of five stars, criticizing its use of jump scares and writing: "At least Last Shift had a grubby ingenuity. Malum has enough budget to be too glossy to be gutter fun, and adds little visually much beyond some very mediocre practical effects, often feeling that – yet again – its ambitions outstripped its grasp."[16]
References
edit- ^ "Malum (18)". British Board of Film Classification. August 10, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Malum (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Malum (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ Mack, Andrew (February 14, 2023). "Malum: Welcome Villain Retitles Last Shift Reboot, Aims For Theatrical Release This Spring". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Squires, John (February 14, 2023). "'Malum' – First Look at 'Last Shift' Reimagining from Welcome Villain Films [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ T, Amber (February 14, 2023). "Our First Look At Malum Teases A Bloody Nightmare". Fangoria. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Navarro, Meagan (March 2, 2023). "New 'Malum' Poster Asks You to Feed the Demon Ahead of Trailer Reveal". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "The Last Shift Production List". Film & Television Industry Alliance. June 27, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (September 1, 2022). "Split Actor Jessica Sula to Star in Last Shift Reboot From Original Filmmaker Anthony DiBlasi (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Melanson, Angel (March 2, 2023). "Come On In For Your First Look At The Official Malum Poster". Fangoria. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Squires, John (May 15, 2023). "'Malum' – 'Last Shift' Reimagining Heads Home to VOD Outlets This Week". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ T, Amber (May 15, 2023). "Malum Hits Digital And On Demand Tomorrow". Fangoria. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Malum". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (March 31, 2023). "Malum movie review & film summary (2023)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Donato, Matt (March 31, 2023). "Last Shift Reimagining Malum Is More of the Same – For Better and Worse". Paste. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Whittaker, Richard (March 31, 2023). "Malum - Movie Review". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
