Malice: Stream or Skip?
Opening shot: A man gazes out an airplane window, eyes fixed on Lower Manhattan.
Key points: Adam Healy (Jack Whitehall) arrives in New York and is quickly pulled into an interrogation by the Department of Homeland Security. The agents want to know about his ties to the Tanner family, especially Jamie Tanner (David Duchovny), presenting him with unsettling photographs. Adam admits to his agent that he’s not shocked by the inquiry, noting, “Jamie Tanner was not a very nice guy. He hurt and upset a lot of people.”
Fast forward to Greece, where Jamie, his wife Nat (Carice Van Houten), and their kids are soaking up the sun in their lavish villa. They’re joined by friends Jules (Kristin Adams) and Damien (Raza Jaffrey), who’ve brought Adam along to tutor one of their daughters. However, Adam soon starts plotting to make life hell for the wealthy venture capitalist.
Despite being together for years, Jamie and Nat are still very much in love. Yet, Jamie’s parenting skills leave something to be desired, as he sternly reprimands his sons, Dexter (Phoenix LaRoche) and Kit (Harry Gilby). Nonetheless, Adam manages to connect with the boys and the Tanner’s daughter, April (Teddy Allen). But his schemes might just involve their nanny too.
For example, while on a boat trip, Adam tosses Jamie’s passport overboard. Later, on a hike with Nat, he misleads Jules about a meeting time. He also sabotages a bowl of avocado salad which makes Jules’s nanny sick. To top it off, he takes Jamie to a strip club, gets him drunk, and then whispers menacingly while Jamie is passed out.
Which show do you remember? Malice seems to echo themes from works like The White Lotus, focusing on the darker sides of wealthy lives.
Our view: Malice feels like a jumbled tonal ride that doesn’t quite gain traction in its first episode. The series attempts to depict the Tanners as a warped caricature of wealth, with Jamie often cracking jokes while tearing others down. Duchovny brings an entertaining charm to the character, but it sometimes feels forced.
While the narrative hints at deeper secrets within the Tanner family, particularly concerning Adam’s motives, details remain vague, leaving viewers wanting. The show may hint at underlying darkness—like Adam’s torment of Jamie—but without a clear purpose, it risks losing engagement.
Featured performance: Duchovny convinces with Jamie, balancing the character’s flaws with a hint of humanity.
Sex and skin: A daytime scene featuring Jamie and Nat leans into the show’s adult themes, and Duchovny, now 65, certainly isn’t shy about flaunting his fitness.
Parting shot: “I want you to suffer as much as I did,” Adam whispers menacingly to Jamie, who remains unconscious.
Sleeper Star: Carice Van Houten shines as Nat, torn between her aspirations and family obligations. Adam appears to exploit this inner conflict.
The most pilot-like line: Adam’s bizarre methods of tormenting Jamie occasionally toe the line of the absurd, like using Jamie’s nail clippers on himself.
Our call: We suggest skipping this one. While the cast, including Whitehall, Duchovny, and Van Houten, shows potential, the first episode lacks the dramatic energy to keep viewers invested. The balance between dark humor and genuine suspense feels uncertain.
How to Watch Malice
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