Dakota Fanning returns to the horror genre in Vicious, the new film from writer-director Bryan Bertino, known for 2008’s The Strangers. Released on October 10 via Paramount+, this movie follows Fanning’s recent and divisive 2024 horror fantasy The Watchers. Despite Fanning’s committed portrayal, the film struggles with a muddled narrative that ultimately fails to connect, leaving audiences and fans of both the actress and director disappointed.
Plot and Central Mystery: The Curse of the Box
Vicious centers on Polly, a gifted artist portrayed by Fanning, who is tentatively planning to return to art school after a break. Polly battles unclear mental health issues following her father’s death, creating a cloud of unresolved grief that permeates the story. One night, a mysterious woman played by Kathryn Hunter, recognizable from Andor, shows up at Polly’s doorstep, delivering a cryptic box accompanied by an hourglass and instructions: place three items inside—something hated, something needed, and something loved.
Despite Polly’s initial attempts to discard the box, supernatural forces prevent her from escaping its influence. The box demands violent sacrifices tied to the symbolic items placed inside, forcing Polly into a harrowing ordeal. An unseen entity manipulating events appears capable of mimicking people from Polly’s life, including her deceased father, her mother, and a neighbor who tries to intervene. The rules are simple but unforgiving: supply the three symbolic items and face the consequences alone; seeking help is forbidden.
Unclear Themes and Symbolism Undermine Horror Elements
While the cursed box concept offers rich potential, Vicious fails to define the scope or significance of its supernatural elements. The film shrouds its central mystery in ambiguity, leaving viewers unable to grasp the deeper meaning behind the box or the hourglass. The storyline hints at exploring the emotional toll of artistic creation or the harsh, indifferent forces of life, but these themes remain unarticulated.
“Trapped in a terrifying world where reality bends and memory betrays, Polly must navigate a series of impossible choices. As time slips away, she’s forced to confront the darkness not just around her, but within her — before it consumes everything and everyone she’s ever known.”
However, this premise falters due to minimal insight into Polly’s mental state or backstory, fostering a disconnect that dampens the emotional stakes.
Compelling Lead Performance Overshadowed by Narrative Weakness
Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of Polly is striking, capturing the tension of a tormented artist with subtle details, such as her tattoos and cigarette smoking, which enhance the character’s troubled aura. Her isolated interactions with invisible, malevolent forces are vividly performed, yet even her strong presence cannot compensate for repetitive plot devices and underdeveloped storytelling. The nearly 98-minute runtime feels stretched as the film cycles through the same themes without clear progression.
Kathryn Hunter’s character reappears late in the film, introducing a new but confusing rule that Polly must pass the box to another person, a choice seemingly made at random by the box itself, which shows a preference for women. Though the film features a predominantly female cast, it does not clarify whether this choice carries specific thematic weight related to women’s mental health or simply serves as a casting decision without narrative justification.
The Film’s Direction and Themes Feel Disjointed and Frustrating
The absence of coherent purpose becomes increasingly frustrating as Vicious approaches its conclusion, which unfolds through multiple false endings. The sustained depiction of violence, particularly self-inflicted harm, raises questions about the film’s intent. The narrative offers no explanation for why these acts occur, weakening any emotional or psychological resonance.
Vicious joins another upcoming Paramount horror release, Primate, which showcases gory and absurd violence through a story about a rabid chimpanzee. Both films attempt to mirror societal anxieties around senseless aggression but fall short of offering substantial commentary on these fears.
Release Information and Final Impressions
Vicious is scheduled for release on Paramount+ on October 10. While Dakota Fanning’s performance offers moments of genuine engagement, Bryan Bertino’s latest effort suffers from an unclear story, lack of thematic clarity, and narrative confusion. For viewers seeking a horror film with strong acting but a tightly woven plot, Vicious is likely to disappoint.
