Prime Video’s latest original series Malice enters the platform with the promise of psychological tension, sleek production, and a revenge narrative rooted in hidden motives. With six episodes driven by mystery and manipulation, the series sets up an engaging premise but struggles at times to maintain the urgency expected from a tightly constructed thriller.
At the center of the story is Adam, played by Jack Whitehall, who delivers a sharp and unsettling performance that anchors the entire show. Adam is introduced as a polite and charismatic tutor working abroad, which quickly earns him the trust of the affluent Tanner family during their vacation in Greece. When the family’s nanny falls violently ill, Adam steps in at their request and begins weaving himself deeper into their lives.
Once the family returns to London with Adam as their new caregiver, his intentions become more calculated. He subtly manipulates Jamie Tanner and his wife Nat, creating fractures within their marriage while positioning himself as the supportive figure they did not know they needed. The slow reveal of Adam’s past and the reason behind his mission against the Tanners adds intrigue, although the pacing occasionally softens the dramatic impact.
The tone of Malice carries shades of classic psychological thrillers, particularly stories like Ripley where charm masks darker impulses. Whitehall embodies this duality convincingly. Best known for his comedic roles, he shifts effortlessly into something far more sinister, often delivering his most disturbing moments with a calm, effortless smile. His performance alone makes the series worth watching.
Directed by Mike Barker and Leonora Lonsdale and created by James Wood, Malice benefits from atmospheric cinematography and a cast that understands the complexity of the material. David Duchovny and Carice van Houten deliver layered performances as a couple becoming increasingly destabilized by Adam’s influence.
While the story is compelling, some viewers may find the pacing slower than expected, especially in the first half of the season. The tension builds steadily rather than explosively, which may divide audiences looking for a fast moving thriller. Even so, the gradual unraveling of Adam’s intentions does pay off, offering satisfying moments of revelation as the Tanner family begins to connect the pieces of his past.
The series concludes with the central mystery largely intact, leaving room for expansion should Prime Video greenlight a second season. As of now, the platform has not announced a renewal. Viewer response and completion rates following the November 14 premiere will likely determine the show’s future.
Malice succeeds most when it leans into character driven suspense, unpredictable power shifts, and the unsettling intensity Jack Whitehall brings to the role. Its deliberate pacing may not suit everyone, but the series offers an intriguing take on revenge, privilege, and the dangers of letting a stranger inside one’s home.
