Not to be confused with a Dutch film by the same name, THIS Vicious is by Bryan Bertino (the prolific writer, director, or producer behind The Strangers, The Dark and the Wicked, and The Blackcoat’s Daughter) and stars Dakota Fanning.
Bertino, a native Texan who grew up 78 miles south of where I write tonight’s review, normally creates some pretty compelling content. Unfortunately, neither he nor Dakota succeed at getting this schlock off the ground. (Heck, for that matter, not even 1990 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award winner Kathryn Hunter’s formidable acting chops can save this albatross!)
Dakota’s character (Polly) sobs, argues with demons on the phone, harms herself in response to three pleadings from a box reminiscent of Needful Things, alternates between following and breaking the rules, drags from her cigarettes, damns her equally naive next door neighbor, and ultimately either does or does not awaken from the dream that either did or did not first seduced her.
Is she alive? Is she dead? Might thespian Hunter’s exposition or Polly’s obedience save them all?
I predict it’s immaterial, because boredom will have killed us all long before anything approximating clarity materializes here.
Save yourself while you still can by refusing Vicious’s trills on your cell phone.
Ain’t nothing on the other end of that line worth engaging.
There. Tragedy averted and unnecessary mystery avoided.
Enjoy your night!
