Malignant: The Parasitic Monster of Gabriel
James Wan’s Malignant (2021) might be the most recent film I cover for “Monster March’ but how can I not when it gave us the very iconic character of Gabriel. Specifically, the idea of a parasitic twin or even the notion of someone unknowingly having an evil and murderous aspect to their personality exists as a specialty within the horror genre. Whether it be characters like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or works such as The Dark Half or Basket Case, Gabriel owes a lot to them. After all, what’s more, frightening than someone having control of your body without your knowledge and awareness of it. CW for some discussion about sexual violence.
What makes Gabriel a monster outside of his murderous tendencies would be the very nature of his character. He’s a parasite, first and foremost, which utilizes Madison’s body without her permission. He physically and metaphorically hides within Madison when he is not active and forces her to believe she’s in another place and control when he takes over. He can take control over both her body and her mind. The idea of another internal force piloting yourself is pretty horrifying. When Madison was a child, Gabriel framed himself as an imaginary friend before hiding after surgical removal of him from her back. He becomes reawakened when Madison’s abusive husband smashes her head against the wall as an adult. Following it, he makes Madison believe she’s having visions of a mysterious killer murdering people when in reality, Gabriel is using her to commit the murders. All he wants to do is murder and kill people.
Gabriel’s design and movement are also unique. His face appears by breaking through the back of Maddison’s skull and Gabriel her limbs in reverse. His action does not appear human and provides a mystery to the killer at first. Even his fingerprints at the crime scene are upside down. His physical nature contorts and distorts traditional human anatomy as he can do actions that most humans cannot do at all. Also, his face is more facial features on exposed brain and tissue than the actual face. In addition, what elevates Gabriel is Marina Mazepa, an actress and contortionist. She physically brings Gabriel to life and gives those very deliberate characteristics. It adds to the believability of the monster but the personality as well.
It’s also important to discuss his origin as well. When Maddison was a child, he initially appeared as a more physical parasitic twin where he had actual body and head attached to her body and spine. He initially seemed entirely physical compared to the present, which is more internal. The grotesque appearance cues us to his monstrous nature and how he’s able to kill a group of doctors with ease. We later find out that Madison was orphaned since her mother was raped as a teenager and her parents did not want to help her. His appearance and evil nature serve as a reminder for that horrible act. Even though it’s not explored further, there’s a notion that Gabriel exists and is corrupt due to that event which falls into that trope. It’s not brought up again, but it’s essential to bring it up.
Finally, Gabriel gains his strength in a very horrific way. Madison, in the past, experienced multiple miscarriages, which she cannot figure out the reason for. Eventually, it’s revealed that her miscarriages occurred due to Gabriel absorbing the fetuses. He essentially consumes and robs Madison of her child because he wants to regain his strength and take control. It furthers his parasitic nature and deepens his monstrosity. He has essentially fully taken over Madison’s body and her right to choose as well. His hunger holds no bounds and will do anything to be the singular mind in charge of her. Also, this action violates her autonomy since he essentially decides for her without taking her own decisions into account.
Gabriel holds a lot of different variables which contribute to his monstrous nature. He’s a literal and a metaphorical parasite to Madison by taking complete control over her body and life. She becomes a prisoner as he becomes the primary pilot to commit murders. He’s an exciting monster that needs further discussion.
Thanks again for reading. You can keep with the blog and get updates by following it on Instagram @thebloginthewoods or by following/subscribing to The Blog in the Woods via Medium.
My review for Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) went live on Slay Away so check that. Also I will be releasing my review of Studio 666 on Slay Away as well.
As for “Monster March” I will be discussing Annihilation on Sunday.
