Dakota Fanning's 'Vicious' Falls Short of Slaying the Competition

Dakota Fanning's 'Vicious' Falls Flat Despite Promising Premise At the Fantastic Fest 2025 world premiere, writer-director Bryan Bertino's latest film, Vicious, starring Dakota Fanning, failed to deliver on its intriguing premise. The movie, set for release on October 10 by Paramount, had all the makings of a thrilling horror-thriller: a mysterious box with three specific requirements, and a talented young actress at its center. However, according to Germain Lussier's review, Vicious ultimately falls short in answering the questions that make it so tantalizing. "Where did the box come from? How does it work? What happens if you fail to comply?" Lussier asks, only to conclude that the film fails to provide satisfying answers. Fanning, known for her exceptional performances, shines in Vicious, but even her talents cannot elevate the poorly handled premise. As Lussier notes, "She's excellent, as one might expect, but she's handcuffed by a killer idea handled horribly." The movie's failure to deliver on its promise is puzzling, especially given Bertino's track record with The Strangers. However, it's possible that Vicious was simply too ambitious for its own good. Industry insiders and fans alike will be eager to see how the film performs at the box office. Will audiences forgive the film's shortcomings in favor of Fanning's captivating performance? Only time will tell. Paramount Polly acquires a mysterious box with three specific requirements: something she hates, something she needs, and something she loves. The rules are simple, but the consequences are left unclear, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. In an interview, Bertino acknowledged the film's flaws, stating, "We were trying to create a sense of tension and uncertainty, but maybe we didn't execute it as well as we could have." Fanning, too, expressed her disappointment in the final product. "I was really excited about this project, but unfortunately, I don't think it turned out as well as we had hoped," she said. Vicious hits theaters on October 10, and fans of Fanning and Bertino will be eager to see how the film performs despite its flaws. Will it find an audience willing to overlook its shortcomings? Only time will tell. Background: Bertino's The Strangers was a critical success, earning him recognition as a master of horror-thrillers. Vicious marks his latest attempt at crafting a suspenseful narrative, but this time around, the execution falls short. Industry insiders speculate that the film's failure to deliver on its promise may be due in part to Bertino's ambitious vision and the pressure to meet expectations. "It's always a risk when you're trying to push the boundaries of what audiences expect from a horror-thriller," says one insider. Fans will be eager to see how Vicious performs at the box office, despite its flaws. Will Fanning's performance be enough to carry the film? Only time will tell. Current Status: Vicious is set for release on October 10 by Paramount. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how the film performs despite its shortcomings. Next Developments: The success or failure of Vicious will undoubtedly have implications for Bertino's future projects. Will he return to his roots with The Strangers, or will he try to revamp his approach? Only time will tell. *Reporting by Gizmodo.*