Wild ride ‘Malice’ is festive season’s must-watch thriller

IF YOU are looking to escape into an enthralling mystery this festive season, look no further than Malice, the brand-new Amazon Prime series that is already generating plenty of buzz.

- KARISHMA DIPA

MALICE'S star-studded cast which features David Duchovny, Carice van Houten and Jack Whitehall. I X

With its star-studded cast and enough twists and turns to keep you hooked until the very end - including a seriously jaw-dropping finale - the six-episode British psychological thriller is well worth watching.

And while stories about a man plotting vengeance on a wealthy family in a bid to bring some sort of street justice are often played out, this production does more than simply add to the genre - it masters it with its clever structure, compelling character arcs and unique storytelling.

Malice unfolds with a confidence rarely seen in new thrillers, gradually tightening the screws until you reach a climax that feels both inevitable and shocking.

Drawing parallels with The White Lotus and The Talented Mr. Ripley, the series places class conflict, privilege and complicated family dynamics in the spotlight - themes viewers from all walks of life will be able to relate to.

It also taps into the uncomfortable truth that wealth can shield people from accountability and that those who appear to “have it all” often have the deepest, darkest secrets.

Created by James Wood and directed by Wood alongside Mike Barker and Leonora Lonsdale, the first few scenes transport viewers to idyllic Paros, Greece.