Vicious is a 2025 American horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino. The film stars Dakota Fanning, Rachel Blanchard, and others. Vicious was released on Paramount+ and made available on digital video-on-demand on October 10, 2025.
The film follows Polly (Dakota Fanning), a woman in her 30s who is stuck in a dead-end job and anxious about returning to school. She lives alone in a house rented from her sister and dotes on her young niece. One night, an elderly woman visits her, presenting a small wooden box and an hourglass, warning Polly that she will die that very night unless she places inside the box something she hates, something she needs, and something she loves.
The idea of Vicious is nothing new, supernatural beings bringing horror and fear is a common trope in this genre. However, the film’s storytelling falters because it fails to clearly explain the plot, the significance of the box, its origin, and other key elements. The concept is barely developed, leaving the audience to piece things together on their own. By the time you do, the conflict and the protagonist’s fate no longer feel engaging or meaningful.
Overall, Dakota Fanning embodies the character effectively, delivering a solid performance that captures the emotions and fear Polly experiences. Beyond her performance, however, the film is largely a wasted opportunity, failing to make good use of its hour-and-a-half runtime.
