I know, I know, I’m late to the game here. Fangoria’s Chainsaw Awards show streamed live at the end of May, but I finally caught it. Lots of great films got lots of love from the horror community, and the one I was rooting for took home the big prize: MALIGNANT (2021) won best wide-release film.
Why am I a champion for MALIGNANT? Is it because it has one of the most unexpected and entertaining action sequences in recent horror? Yes but that’s not all. Is it because the creature design and practical effects are top-notch? Yes but that’s not all. I love MALIGNANT so much because it has the sensibility of a low-budget horror of the 80s but with (a) a big budget, and (b) a wide, mainstream release.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check it out. Just go in without any information, it’ll be better that way.
Jacob N. Given 