Isolated Woman's Descent into Madness Grips in Chilling Thriller 'Vicious'

The psychological thriller "Vicious" follows Polly, a depressed young woman who is plagued by haunting hallucinations. The film, which premiered 7 days ago, has now been slashed from the studio's theatrical slate and is trickling down to Paramount's streaming service.

Polly's isolation and self-loathing deepen as she receives a mysterious box from a bewitching old woman. The box comes with a ticking hourglass and a series of vague challenges, forcing Polly to confront her deepest traumas. As Polly struggles to complete the tasks, she is tormented by visions of her loved ones, leading to a disturbing descent into madness.

Actress Dakota Fanning delivers a tense, captivating performance as Polly, with her waning trust and fear of betrayal hinting at a wounded self-loathing that becomes the film's most lasting impression. However, the film's relentless barrage of loud scares and lack of narrative cohesion ultimately leave the audience with a numbing, thoughtless experience.