Malice

Malice

Year: 1993

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Harold Becker

MysteryThrillerCrime

Seeking to repair his marriage and restore his sense of self, a man asks a friend to help him conceive a child. This unusual arrangement, however, sets off a dangerous series of events, revealing hidden truths and escalating tensions. As the situation spirals out of control, a web of deceit and chaos unfolds, testing the limits of loyalty and exposing the fragility of relationships.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Malice yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Malice (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Malice (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern realities faced by individuals in a college and hospital environment. The narrative explores present-day issues like campus safety and personal trauma within the framework of intimate relationships and professional dilemmas.

Location

St. Agnes Hospital, Campus

St. Agnes Hospital serves as a pivotal setting, emblematic of both healing and the stark realities of life and death. The college campus, a vibrant place of learning, is juxtaposed with the lurking danger of recent assaults, illuminating themes of vulnerability and safety. Together, these locations frame a narrative filled with tension and emotional upheaval.

🏥 Hospital 🎓 College

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:06

Main Characters – Malice (1993)

Meet the key characters of Malice (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andy Safian (Bill Pullman)

Andy Safian is a conflicted college professor grappling with anxiety over his wife's safety and the dark events unfolding around him. His sense of loyalty and commitment is tested as he uncovers troubling truths about his wife's interactions. Andy's journey reflects the emotional turmoil of a man caught between love and betrayal.

👨‍🏫 Professor ❤️ Loyalty 😟 Anxiety

Tracy Kessinger (Nicole Kidman)

Tracy Kessinger is a woman facing profound personal challenges, including fertility struggles. Her character embodies resilience, but also vulnerability as her life spirals due to external threats and internal conflicts. Tracy seeks justice and closure, making her a poignant figure in the narrative of loss and recovery.

👩‍⚕️ Surgeon 💔 Heartbreak ⚖️ Justice

Jed Hill (Alec Baldwin)

Jed Hill is a new surgeon whose charm masks deeper issues. His complex persona reveals arrogance and a sense of entitlement that ultimately lead to conflict. As his interactions with Tracy intensify, the threat of emotional and ethical implications looms large in the narrative.

🩺 Surgeon 💼 Ambition 😈 Arrogance

Detective Dana Harris (Bebe Neuwirth)

Detective Dana Harris plays a crucial role in investigating the recent assaults, reflecting strength and determination in her pursuit of justice. Her character balances professionalism with a personal stake in the case, embodying the struggle for safety and truth within the community.

👮‍♀️ Detective 🔎 Investigation ⚔️ Strength

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:06

Major Themes – Malice (1993)

Explore the central themes of Malice (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔍 Betrayal

Betrayal runs deep within the film, impacting not just relationships but also individual lives. As secrets are unveiled, the characters face moral dilemmas and the consequences of their choices. This theme intensifies the stakes as loyalties are tested in a web of deceit.

⚖️ Justice

The quest for justice permeates the narrative as characters confront the aftermath of violence and trauma. The legal disputes and investigations highlight societal struggles against wrongdoing, reflecting a desperate need for resolution in the face of chaos.

💔 Loss

Loss is a central theme that resonates through the characters’ personal journeys. From the emotional upheaval of miscarriage to the haunting shadows of crime, each character grapples with their own forms of loss, shaping their relationships and life trajectories.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:06

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Thrillers of Deceit and Betrayal like Malice

Thrillers where hidden motives and deception shatter trust and create chaos.If you enjoyed the web of lies and psychological manipulation in Malice, explore these movies. This list features gripping thrillers where characters are trapped in paranoid spirals, uncovering shocking betrayals that test their loyalties and sanity. Find films with similar tension and unsettling reveals.

paranoidsinisterunsettlingbetrayaldeceptionpsychologicaltenseanxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a stable facade that is gradually dismantled. A central character, often an ordinary person, becomes suspicious of a close associate—a partner, a colleague, or a friend. Through a series of methodical reveals and escalating stakes, a deeper, more sinister plot is uncovered, forcing the protagonist into a high-stakes confrontation with the truth.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on psychological manipulation and the breakdown of trust. They create a specific, tense viewing experience defined by a steady build of paranoia, complex character motivations, and a climax that exposes a web of deceit, leaving the audience questioning allegiances.

Movies with Bittersweet Endings like Malice

Stories where solving the crime brings closure but also profound personal loss.For viewers who appreciated the complex emotional resolution of Malice, this collection features crime dramas and thrillers with bittersweet conclusions. These films deliver on the mystery but leave a lasting emotional impact, focusing on the heavy cost of truth. Discover similar stories where justice is served, but peace is fragile.

melancholicbittersweetheavytensecrimemoral ambiguitylossjustice

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a high-stakes investigation or a personal quest for the truth, often involving crime, legal battles, or exposing a conspiracy. While the immediate threat is neutralized and the mystery is resolved by the end, the protagonist's personal life is left in tatters. The ending acknowledges the hard-won victory but emphasizes the emotional toll, lost relationships, and haunting memories that remain.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific emotional arc: a journey through intense drama and crime that culminates not in pure triumph, but in a somber, reflective resolution. They are united by their heavy emotional weight and their focus on the bittersweet nature of justice—where the puzzle is solved, but the human cost is undeniable.

Unlock the Full Story of Malice

Don't stop at just watching — explore Malice in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Malice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Malice Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Malice, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Malice Summary

Malice Timeline

Track the full timeline of Malice with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Malice Timeline

Malice Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Malice that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Malice Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Malice

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Malice: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Malice

Similar Movies to Malice

Discover movies like Malice that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.