Malignant

In the climax of Malignant, it is revealed that Gabriel, the killer, is actually a parasitic twin named Gabriel-like tumor, which had developed inside Emily May, the woman who was a patient at the hospital as a child. This tumor was a horrific, living mass that shared Emily’s brain and used her body as a vessel to seek revenge against those who harmed it—namely, the doctors who tried to suppress or remove it years earlier. Over the course of the film, Gabriel’s presence is hidden inside Emily, controlling her movements and causing her to commit murders without her conscious knowledge. As Gabriel resurfaces from Emily’s skull during the final confrontation, it becomes clear that he isn’t a separate person but a monstrous tumor using Emily’s body as a puppet.

By the end, the story pulls its supernatural wing into focus—Gabriel appears to have grown enough to fight back violently, targeting Emily’s loved ones, including her sister Sydney and her mother Serena May. It turns out that Serena was living under a pseudonym as the tour guide Jane Doe, having abandoned her biological identity after giving birth to Gabriel and Emily, and living in hiding. Gabriel’s attack on Serena and Sydney culminates in a tense showdown, where Emily, finally regaining control, traps Gabriel once again by forcing him into her mental ‘prison.’ She declares her love for her sister and her willingness to fight Gabriel, reaffirming her bond with Sydney as more meaningful than blood ties.

Before the credits roll, a mysterious sign suggests that Gabriel might survive and return, hinting at a potential sequel. The film ultimately leaves open the possibility that Gabriel’s psychic powers and parasitic nature could lead to further horror, leaving viewers pondering whether Emily’s ordeal is truly over or if Gabriel might strike again someday. The ending blends horror, supernatural elements, and body horror to craft a shocking conclusion that redefines Emily’s identity and her fight to reclaim her life.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00