Before Bohemian Rhapsody turned Rami Malek into an Oscar winner and global star, he quietly delivered one of his most daring performances in a strange, surreal indie film that most audiences missed: Buster’s Mal Heart.
Released in 2016, the psychological thriller follows a man named Jonah, who slowly unravels under pressure from work, religion, and existential dread. After a series of flashbacks and fragmented memories, Jonah reappears as 'Buster', a fugitive mountain dweller ranting about the end of the world. The film shifts between timelines, dreams, and reality — leaving viewers to piece together the mystery themselves.
Malek plays both versions of the character with striking physicality and emotional range, showing how trauma can fracture a person across time and identity. The performance is subtle, but intensely layered — and perhaps one of his most personal.
Buster’s Mal Heart also features standout supporting turns from Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and horror veteran Lin Shaye, adding depth and tension to the film’s spiritual undertones and creeping paranoia. While it never found mainstream success, the film has become a hidden gem for fans of unconventional storytelling and psychological depth.
