Story perspectives

Vicious: Dakota Fanning Shines in Chaotic Thriller

10/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

Vicious, a claustrophobic thriller by Bryan Bertino starring Dakota Fanning as Polly, centers on a box compelling her to sacrifice items, triggering chaos.
Critics describe a slow build and uneven plot, arguing it often lacks suspense or moral questions.
Still, the film's visual style and Fanning's performance are praised, but it struggles to carve its identity amid Bertino's prior work.

History

Historical Context

Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," released in 1960, transformed the psychological thriller genre with its complex characters and moral ambiguity. Its groundbreaking narrative techniques, particularly the infamous shower scene, set new standards for suspense. This influence extends to contemporary filmmakers like Bryan Bertino, whose "Vicious" echoes Hitchcock's themes of chaos and sacrifice, highlighting "Psycho's" lasting impact on modern storytelling.

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Story summary

Vicious, a claustrophobic thriller by Bryan Bertino starring Dakota Fanning as Polly, centers on a box compelling her to sacrifice items, triggering chaos.
Critics describe a slow build and uneven plot, arguing it often lacks suspense or moral questions.
Still, the film's visual style and Fanning's performance are praised, but it struggles to carve its identity amid Bertino's prior work.

1 / 2