Malice
A childless married couple’s hopes are shattered when an arrogant surgeon’s life-changing operation opens a labyrinth of medical deception, criminal intrigue, and marital suspicion.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- sardonic
- sensational
- late night thriller viewing
- 1990s movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film stylish and intermittently entertaining, with strong performances and suspense undermined by overloaded plotting, familiar devices, and major narrative incoherence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dr. Jed Hill's surgical authority drives the couple's crisis and exposes the abuse of professional power.
The film includes numerous blind alleys, reversals, and an atmospheric serial-killer subplot that critics specifically identified as red herrings.
Andy and Tracy's desire to have children is destabilized by the hospital incident and the secrets surrounding their marriage and household.
The cast, especially Alec Baldwin as Jed, plays menace, sexuality, and humor against a densely reversal-driven thriller structure.
Films like Malice, and why
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
shared neo-noir atmosphere, marital suspicion, and escalating psychological manipulation
Coma
shared medical thriller tension, morally compromised professionals, and twist-heavy plotting
Presumed Innocent
shared conspiracy-driven mystery, red herrings, and morally unstable characters
Basic Instinct
shared erotic suspense, dangerous deception, and psychologically charged neo-noir style
Movie Details
- Director
- Harold Becker
- Release Date
- 1993-09-29
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (541)
Cast
- Alec Baldwin
- Nicole Kidman
- Bill Pullman
- Bebe Neuwirth
- George C. Scott
- Anne Bancroft
- Peter Gallagher
- Josef Sommer
- Tobin Bell
- William Duff-Griffin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Malice about?
- A childless married couple’s hopes are shattered when an arrogant surgeon’s life-changing operation opens a labyrinth of medical deception, criminal intrigue, and marital suspicion.
- What is Malice like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Malice as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Malice violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Malice as moderate.
- What did critics think of Malice?
- Critics found the film stylish and intermittently entertaining, with strong performances and suspense undermined by overloaded plotting, familiar devices, and major narrative incoherence.
- Which films are like Malice?
- Films with a similar feel include The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Coma, Presumed Innocent, and Basic Instinct.
- How long is Malice?
- Malice runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Malice?
- In United States, Malice is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
