James Wan’s Malignant earns an R rating for violence and gruesome images

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

At one time scheduled to be released to theatres in August of 2020, director James Wan's latest horror film Malignant is currently without a release date, due to the pandemic. We do know that Warner Bros. intends to release Malignant sometime in 2021 – and when they do release it, it's going to be available to watch in theatres and on the HBO Max streaming service on the same day.

Malignant just took a step toward release, as it has earned a rating from the Motion Picture Association. The film is officially rated R for "strong horror violence and gruesome images, and language".

Wan said he was going back to his roots with this one, and it certainly sounds like it. Details on the plot are being kept under wraps, but Malignant has been described as being "giallo-inspired". When the project was first announced, Wan said it would be a 

hard-R thriller. An original horror idea (not a reboot/remake or anything based on existing IP) with old school, practical effects and no giant, blue screen sets."

The film stars Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, Mckenna Grace, Jake Abel, George Young, Ingrid Bisu, Michole Briana White, and Jacqueline McKenzie.

Wan and Bisu crafted the story together, then Wan wrote the screenplay with Akela Cooper and J.T. Petty.