James Wan‘s Malignant, which releases here in the United States in theaters and on HBO Max tomorrow, September 10, is about to make history over in China, THR reports today.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wan’s return to the horror genre will become the first “R” rated U.S. horror movie to land distribution in China, launching on Chinese streaming channels on the same day it’s released in the United States.
As THR explains, “Malignant is believed to be the first R-rated U.S. horror movie to ever score distribution in China, where such content is seldom able to clear censorship. Scary movies like Paramount’s A Quiet Place franchise have occasionally scored releases in China, but they have always been PG-13 titles. Starlight [Media] says it worked closely with Wan to make a few judicious cuts to the film that made the China release possible.”
THR also notes, “Malignant will stream in China simultaneously on the video platforms of six major internet companies and telecoms, including iQiyi, Huawei, China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom and China Broadcast Network.”
In the film, “Paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, Madison’s (Annabelle Wallis) torment worsens as she discovers that her waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.”
The cast includes Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, Mckenna Grace, Jake Abel, George Young, Ingrid Bisu, Michole Briana White and Jacqueline McKenzie.
