Film Review – Malum (2023)

Determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of her father, rookie police officer Jessica Loren (Jessica Sula) volunteers to take the last shift at the newly decommissioned police station where he died. However she soon finds herself taunted by supernatural forces as she discovers that her father had links to a vicious cult who know exactly who she is…

If this film sounds oddly familiar, that’s because it is. Directed by Anthony DiBlasi, who co-wrote the film with Scott Poiley, Malum is a direct remake of DiBlasi’s 2014 film Last Shift. Originally DiBlasi was approached to do another film set in the same universe but instead decided that he wanted to do a reimagining of Last Shift. The reasoning behind this was that Last Shift was made on a much more limited budget and DiBlasi and Poiley felt that the bigger budget would allow more of the story to be told. It would also allow audiences to see the film in a theatre this time around. Malum sees only one of the original cast members of Last Shift returning in the form of Natalie Victoria who reprises her role as Marigold.

The main difference between Last Shift and Malum, apart from the budget, is that Malum sees Jessica taking a much more purposeful role in trying to find out about her late father. She requests the shift at the police station, whereas Last Shift’s Jessica finds herself placed into the station at someone else’s request. It is not necessary to have seen Last Shift to watch Malum though watching both films in a double feature would be an interesting exercise in comparison. With that in mind, whilst it is easy to see why DiBlasi himself would be interested in remaking his own film with more resources, it is not entirely clear why it was necessary.

Regardless, Malum makes great use of its single location. When you think of a police station, you probably imagine a reasonably modern building, somewhere that feels safe and reassuring. The police station here couldn’t be more different. It is dark and creepy, and it feels like there is danger hidden around every corner. Tension is built very effectively and throughout a level of threat is definitely felt as Jessica works through the worst shift imaginable. Whilst Malum mostly relies on tension and psychological horror, there are also moments of blood and gore as well as a few jump scares which are very effective.

Malum works less effectively when it comes to the story itself. The cult aspect feels like nothing that audiences have not seen before and is sadly not as effective as other films with similar concepts. The narrative is slightly clunky at times and there are scenes where the film is less engaging.

Overall it is hard not to wonder why DiBlasi felt so strongly that he wanted to remake Last Shift. Malum is an interesting one location horror, but it will be good to see DiBlasi turn his hand to something new for his next project.

★★★

Horror | USA, 2023 | 18 | Cinema | 26th April 2024 (UK Cinema)/ 27th May 2024 (UK Home Ent) | Screenbound Pictures | Dir. Anthony DiBlasi | Jessica Sula, Natalie Victoria, Monroe Cline

Book your tickets watch both films in a double screening 26th April at Showcase Cinemas.