You ever watch a movie that feels like three different scripts got shoved into a blender? That's basically the vibe of Malice, the 1993 thriller that brought Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin together in a way that’s honestly hard to forget. It’s slick. It’s loud. It’s got that specific 90s sheen where everyone is wearing expensive wool coats and living in houses they definitely couldn't afford in real life.
If you’re looking for a movie with Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin, this is the one. Well, the only one, really. They haven't exactly made a habit of starring together, which makes this weird little time capsule even more fascinating.
The "God Complex" and Why It Works
Let’s talk about Alec Baldwin for a second. Before he was Jack Donaghy or doing SNL sketches, he was Jed Hill. Jed is a hotshot surgeon with a massive ego and a penchant for drinking straight bourbon before heading into the OR.
There’s this one scene. You've probably seen it even if you haven't watched the whole movie. Baldwin delivers this monologue about being God. It’s peak Aaron Sorkin—who actually co-wrote the script—and Baldwin eats it up. He tells a legal team, "I am God," and for a minute, you kinda believe him. He’s got that shark-like intensity that he was so good at back then.
Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, plays Tracy. She’s married to Andy (Bill Pullman), a nice-guy college dean. They’re fixing up a massive Victorian house. They want kids. Life is perfect, until it isn't. Kidman plays Tracy with this brittle, guarded energy that makes you wonder what she’s hiding from the jump.
A Plot That Goes Off the Rails
The thing about this movie with Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin is that it starts as one thing and ends as something completely different.
- It begins like a serial killer mystery. There’s a guy attacking students on Andy’s campus.
- Then it pivots. It becomes a medical malpractice drama.
- Finally, it morphs into a full-blown "who can we trust" con-artist thriller.
Most movies pick a lane. Malice just switches lanes without using a blinker. It’s jarring, but honestly, it keeps you from checking your phone. Director Harold Becker, who also did Sea of Love, knows how to keep the tension high even when the logic starts to get a bit... fuzzy.
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Why People Still Search for This Movie
Why does a random thriller from 1993 still pop up in searches today? Part of it is the cast. You’ve got Kidman right before she became a massive, Oscar-winning powerhouse. You’ve got Baldwin at his most leading-man-ish. Even the supporting cast is insane: George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft, and a very young Gwyneth Paltrow show up.
But it’s also the "Sorkin of it all." This was one of Aaron Sorkin’s first big gigs after A Few Good Men. You can hear his voice in the dialogue. It’s fast. It’s smart. It’s a little bit arrogant.
The medical twist is what really sticks in people's brains, though. Without giving away the whole ending, it involves a surgery, a missing ovary, and a massive lawsuit. It’s the kind of plot point that feels like it belongs in a soap opera, but the acting is so good you buy it anyway. Sorta.
The Critics Weren't Exactly Kind
When it came out, people didn't really know what to make of it. Roger Ebert famously complained about the serial killer subplot being a "red herring" that didn't go anywhere. He wasn't wrong. The movie spends twenty minutes making you think it’s a slasher flick before completely abandoning that storyline.
It’s messy. Sorkin himself has called the movie a "mess" in interviews. But sometimes a mess is more fun than a perfect, boring movie. There's a reason it grossed over $60 million on a $20 million budget. People liked watching these beautiful people do terrible things to each other.
Is It Worth a Rewatch?
Honestly, yeah. If you like 90s thrillers like Basic Instinct or The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Malice fits right in. It’s not "prestige" cinema, but it’s high-quality entertainment.
You’ve got:
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- A very young, very intense Nicole Kidman.
- Alec Baldwin at maximum arrogance.
- Bill Pullman being the ultimate 90s "nice guy."
- A plot that makes absolutely no sense if you think about it for more than five minutes.
If you’re hunting for this specific movie with Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin, don't expect a deep character study. Expect a wild ride with some of the best dialogue of the decade. It’s currently available on various streaming platforms, usually tucked away in the "thriller" or "90s hits" section.
The best way to enjoy it is to lean into the melodrama. Don't worry about the plot holes. Just watch Alec Baldwin tell a room full of lawyers that he’s the Creator of the Universe. It’s worth the price of admission alone.
To get the most out of your viewing, pay attention to the lighting. It was shot by Gordon Willis—the guy who did The Godfather. That’s why a movie about a sketchy doctor and a house renovation looks like a masterpiece. It's the contrast between the high-art cinematography and the pulp-fiction plot that gives the film its unique flavor.
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Start by checking your favorite streaming service for the title. If it's not there, it's frequently on digital rental stores for a few bucks. It's a solid Friday night pick when you want something that feels "big" but doesn't require a PhD to follow. Just sit back and let the 90s nostalgia wash over you.