Brit Comic mocked for lame psychorole in Malice

The story follows Adam as he insinuates himself into the Tanner household, led by venture capitalist Jamie, played by Duchovny, and fashion designer Nat, played by award-winning Dutch actress Carice Van Houten, 49.

From luxurious Greek villas to sleek London homes, Adam carries out a melodramatic revenge plot involving poisoned nannies, sabotaged reputations and cleverly planted pet snakes and animal poison.

But the public says the tension is collapsing because Whitehall simply cannot sell the rogue mastermind behind the plans.

A production source said: “Viewers don’t think of him as a psychopath. It’s like watching a stand-up comic reading cue cards in a haunted house.”

Duchovny has spoken warmly about why he took on the role, stating that most of his motivation was filming in luxurious locations.

The actor said: “Well, I’d be lying if I said coming to Greece wasn’t part of the reason, because I’ve never been here, and it’s been prominent in my thinking all my life.”

He explained that the demanding shooting schedule allowed for little sightseeing, but he planned to return. Duchovny’s relaxed enthusiasm for the Greek sun has only fueled the complaints. Neither he nor Whitehall seem fully invested in the psychological depth the genre demands.

But viewers claim that while the older actor still has enough gravitas to power through the material, Whitehall “just looks lost and has no idea what to do,” as one commentator put it.