Wicked Game is a low-budget, no-frills entry into the world of paranormal horror, directed and written by Rich Mallery. The film follows paranormal investigators Mila and Roxy as they document their podcast, only to find themselves terrorized by demonic forces while attempting to contact the victims of a sadistic serial killer. It’s clear from the outset that Mallery is continuing to explore his familiar obsessions: the private lives of lesbians, the tension between eroticism and horror, and the visual aesthetics of low-budget filmmaking.
At its best, the movie captures the playful chaos and absurdity that makes cheap, campy horror entertaining. The film is never boring, and there’s a certain charm in watching its over-the-top situations unfold. The pacing is brisk enough to avoid frustration, and the story, while ridiculous, moves along efficiently without overstaying its welcome.
However, the film struggles in a few key areas. The lead couple, while central to the story, never quite sparks the chemistry or visual appeal that might have elevated the erotic undertones. The sexual content is minimal and half-hearted, and the nudity is essentially nonexistent, which might disappoint viewers expecting the more provocative edge typical of some of Mallery’s past work. Additionally, the plot oscillates between creepy and outright absurd, leaving the audience unsure whether to be scared or just laugh at the ridiculousness of some scenes.
Visually, the film shows Mallery’s signature attention to lighting and camera work—he clearly enjoys experimenting with fill lights and lingering shots—but the “no-budget” feel is never far from the surface. Some of the story’s twists, especially involving new characters and ambiguous supernatural events, are more confusing than thrilling.
Overall, Wicked Game isn’t a masterpiece, and it certainly isn’t the fun, sexy B-movie that some fans might hope for, but it has a certain guilty-pleasure appeal. Fans of Mallery’s particular brand of pervy, over-the-top filmmaking will find moments to enjoy, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on every expectation. It’s a flawed, quirky horror experiment that works best for those who appreciate ridiculous, low-budget films for what they are.
Jessie Hobson