Vicious (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
What if a simple box could decide your fate? Vicious (2025), written and directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers, The Dark and the Wicked), explores that question in a nightmarish spiral of fear, trauma, and supernatural reckoning. Starring Dakota Fanning as Polly—a woman trapped in a deadly psychological maze—the film offers both tension and confusion in equal measure.
Plot Overview: The Box of Love, Hate, and Need
The story begins with Polly (Fanning), a lonely woman battling anxiety and self-doubt, living in near-isolation. Her quiet night takes a disturbing turn when a frail old woman (Kathryn Hunter) knocks on her door, claiming to be lost. After a brief, unsettling exchange, she leaves Polly with a mysterious black box—and one cryptic rule:
“Place inside something you hate, something you need, and something you love. If you don’t, it will consume everything—and everyone—you’ve ever known.”
From there, Vicious plunges into a surreal nightmare. As Polly struggles to fulfill the box’s strange demands, reality begins to fracture. Time slips, hallucinations invade her mind, and dark entities begin to manifest. The box becomes a mirror to her psyche, exposing her guilt, fear, and grief.
A Study in Isolation and Fear
Bertino’s direction excels in crafting mood and atmosphere. The film’s first half feels intimate and tense—each creak, shadow, and whisper adding to the paranoia. The wintry cinematography amplifies the sense of emotional coldness and isolation, evoking classics like The Babadook and The Others.
For much of the runtime, Vicious plays out as a one-woman show, and Dakota Fanning’s performance carries the film. Her portrayal of Polly is raw, fragile, and deeply human. She balances vulnerability and determination in a way that makes her suffering almost unbearable to watch. Whether she’s screaming in terror or trembling in silent despair, Fanning’s emotional authenticity anchors an otherwise disjointed story.
Bryan Bertino’s Vision and Execution
Bryan Bertino has long been recognized for his ability to turn minimal setups into harrowing psychological experiences. The Strangers (2008) established him as a master of tension through simplicity, while The Dark and the Wicked (2020) showcased his talent for blending grief with horror.
With Vicious, Bertino revisits familiar themes—loss, guilt, and human fragility—but this time the execution feels muddled. The film’s rules are intriguing at first yet quickly dissolve into confusion. The box, while symbolic of Polly’s internal conflict, loses narrative coherence by the third act. Scenes blur without context, pacing falters, and the once-promising mystery becomes frustratingly incoherent.
That said, Bertino’s direction remains visually arresting. His ability to frame Fanning within claustrophobic spaces and use silence as a weapon proves he still knows how to make audiences squirm. Unfortunately, the script never quite matches his visual ambition.
Dakota Fanning: The Soul of the Film
Let’s be clear: Vicious works because of Dakota Fanning. She delivers one of her most emotionally intense performances to date, fully embodying a woman at the edge of sanity. Her expressive eyes communicate everything—from terror to resignation—often with minimal dialogue.
Fanning’s career has been defined by versatility, but horror seems to be her natural habitat. She’s capable of elevating thin material through sheer conviction. Even when the screenplay falters, she commands every frame, making us believe in the horror consuming her world.
Her chemistry—or lack thereof—with anyone else is intentional. Polly’s isolation becomes our own. She is trapped not just by the box, but by her memories, her regrets, and the things she refuses to let go of.
Cinematography, Sound, and Atmosphere
The film’s visual design is a major strength. The use of muted tones, flickering lights, and heavy shadows reinforces the claustrophobic mood. The cold, desaturated color palette gives Vicious an almost timeless, dreamlike quality—like a nightmare you can’t wake up from.
Sound design also plays a crucial role. Each creak, whisper, and breath feels amplified, pulling viewers deeper into Polly’s unraveling psyche. When the film uses jump scares, they’re earned—at least at first. However, by the final act, the overreliance on loud noises begins to replace genuine suspense with cheap thrills.
Themes: Trauma, Regret, and the Burden of Choice
At its core, Vicious is about emotional reckoning. The box serves as both a supernatural curse and a metaphor for unresolved trauma. Polly’s inability to choose what she loves, hates, or needs reflects a deeper paralysis—a life defined by guilt and fear of loss.
There’s a haunting idea buried beneath the chaos: sometimes, the real horror is not death itself, but the act of facing who we truly are. Sadly, Bertino’s script never fully develops these ideas. Instead of offering emotional catharsis, the film drifts into confusion, leaving audiences grasping for meaning.
What Works — and What Doesn’t
What Works:
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Dakota Fanning’s powerhouse performance
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Strong opening act and atmospheric setup
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Chilling sound design and cinematography
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Creepy, minimalist concept
What Doesn’t:
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Disjointed pacing and editing
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Confusing third act with weak resolution
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Underdeveloped themes of trauma and guilt
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Overreliance on jump scares over psychological tension
Where to Watch Vicious (2025)
As of now, Vicious (2025) is available for streaming on Paramount+ and Prime Video in the United States.
For rental or purchase availability, you can check the latest updates on JustWatch — a reliable platform to track streaming options across services.
Final Verdict: A Beautifully Broken Horror Film
Vicious (2025) is a film full of potential that doesn’t quite reach its destination. Bryan Bertino crafts an eerie, emotionally charged world but loses his narrative thread along the way. Still, Dakota Fanning’s stunning performance makes the journey worthwhile, proving she’s one of the most compelling horror actresses working today.
If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric, character-driven thriller—one that values tension over clarity—Vicious is worth a watch. Just don’t expect every mystery to be solved by the time the credits roll.
Despite its flaws, Vicious (2025) remains an intriguing addition to the modern horror landscape. Its blend of psychological tension and supernatural horror might frustrate some, but fans of moody, slow-burn thrillers will find plenty to admire.
If you’ve seen the film, share your thoughts below—did the mysterious box work for you, or did Vicious leave you cold?
