The Wretched

Name: The Wretched
Genre: Horror
Released: May 1, 2020
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Azie Tesfai, Blane Crockarell, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Jamison Jones, John-Paul Howard

2020

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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The Wretched

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2020 | NR

Starring: Azie Tesfai, Blane Crockarell, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Jamison Jones, John-Paul Howard, Judah Abner Paul, Kevin Bigley, Piper Curda, Richard Ellis, Zarah Mahler

Summary: Following his parents’ separation, a rebellious teenage boy, Ben, is sent to live with his father for the summer and work at the local marina in order to gain some form of discipline. The idyllic tourist town offers little solace for him, however, as he is forced to deal with the local, privileged teens and his father’s new girlfriend.Following his parents’ separation, a rebellious teenage boy, Ben, is sent to live with his father for the summer and work at the local marina in order to gain some form of discipline. The idyllic tourist town offers little solace for him, however, as he is forced to deal with the local, privileged teens and his father’s new girlfriend. Ben’s problems grow increasingly disturbing when he makes a chilling discovery about the family renting the house next door. A malevolent spirit from the woods has taken a hold of the parents and starts playing a sinister game of house, preying upon the children and wiping away any trace of their existence. Ben’s suspicions of the supernatural horrors go unheeded and he launches a perilous crusade in order to put an end to the skin-walking witch’s reign of terror. [IFC Midnight]… Expand

Director: Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: NR

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Crump

May 7, 2020

It’s an honest to goodness real movie with a mind of its own; practical FX work and creature design help, too, as essential to what distinguishes The Wretched from its influences as the Pierce brothers’ writing. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

May 4, 2020

The Wretched may be guilty of stealing shamelessly from "Rear Window," "Disturbia," and the best summercamp slasher and small-town supernatural chillers, but none of those were exactly raw innovators, either. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

May 5, 2020

The Wretched doesn’t reinvent the rules, but it has a timeliness to it that’s hard to shake. There’s not quite enough substance here to launch a franchise, but with a story so attuned to perils of a neglected world, it doesn’t need a sequel when we’re living in it every day. Read full review

The Playlist Asher Luberto

May 1, 2020

Genre buffs are probably more interested in witch’s kidnapping children than Ben’s family divorce. But the Pierce’s deliver on both fronts, so much so that you may never walk into a basement again. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

May 4, 2020

A potboiler that doesn’t break any molds or reinvent any wheels. Still, there’s something to be said for setting modest goals and achieving them; if this really was some lost relic of the VHS era, it’d pass the blind rental test: There is a witch, and she’s as creepy as the box art would surely promise. Read full review

Geoff Berkshire

Apr 30, 2020

What the Pierce brothers lack in flavorful storytelling or compelling characters, they almost entirely make up for in good old-fashioned atmosphere and suspense. The Wretched rarely surprises, but it’s well-crafted enough to get under your skin anyway, with an able assist from the creepy camerawork of cinematographer Conor Murphy and unsettling score by Devin Burrows. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

May 1, 2020

Unlike “Stranger Things,” The Wretched is a little too cute about teen angst, and not light enough on its feet to make you want to root for its ostensibly typical adolescent. Read full review

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User Reviews

Draconis87

Nov 1, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really liked the movie, and how cleverly, intended or not, the writers created their creature from a mix of lore. First the creature seems to be an evil version of a dryad, or wood nymph, but also a skin walker, with just enough display to confirm both and enough omission to deny either. There is also the slight implication that there are several others in the area, and that possibility opens doors to create future stories. Lastly I would like to propose a theory, and I understand it may not be initially understood or accepted, but just ponder this....Mallory. The twist at the end, Mallory. What if Mallory is not possessed by the evil “dryad” witch, but is in fact herself a “naiad” witch? The lore somewhat lines up throughout the movie to set up her character as a “naiad”. A dryad is attached to a tree or forest, and a naiad is attached to a body of water. Mallory is almost always seen by the lake. Naiads are also seen as protectors of young girls, hinted at when she is seen helping the girl find the restroom. Naiads are also jealous creatures, and Mallory is seen clearly upset at Ben and avoids him until she finds his apology tribute. Mallory is seen as a “caretaker of the lake” just as the dryad is the “caretaker of the forest”. My question is this, what if this whole movie is about a territorial feud between a “dryad” and a “naiad”??? The evil dryad has competition who made herself known when she wrote the note, so she stole her sister, leading in turn the naiad to seek revenge in return, using Ben as her champion. Needing to keep her hands clean, Mallory is clearly seducing Ben in her retaliation against the dryad who stole her sister, and may even be just playing along when she is shown to forget her, just to avoid suspicion. Ben being an obvious virgin throughout the film hints at why he is not mind controlled, but only somewhat seduced to action, and his age makes him less ideal for food for the dryad, as younger children can feed her tree for longer, thereby extending her life even more. In the end when Mallory is on the boat with the kids, it could be that the territory feud is finally over, and with Ben gone for awhile, she can now resume feeding on children unsuspected and unchallenged. If there is a sequel, I think that Ben would be older when he returns, and possibly be fully seduced and controlled by Mallory, who is now trying to once again fend off a forest creature, or even a new one from her plethora of tourist crop. Ben would probably be killed or sacrifice himself for her, and most likely not be the main protagonist. The new protagonist might be his younger brother, who survived one witch, and seeks to protect others from another one.
I’m just brainstorming here, but I do think the movie heavily hints at lore that is used to validate these creatures in a dark way, and it would be fun to see more.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TryASummersault

May 2, 2020

A well executed practical effect focused throwback horror story, that delivers the disturbing imagery and a coming of age feel that older horror's had more of. The Wretched trailer caught my eye a few months back and i thought it looked very intriguing. I then saw it was also receivingA well executed practical effect focused throwback horror story, that delivers the disturbing imagery and a coming of age feel that older horror's had more of. The Wretched trailer caught my eye a few months back and i thought it looked very intriguing. I then saw it was also receiving some great reviews from the festivals it was shown at especially for its practical effects and 80's type presentation. I have always been looking for a witch themed film like this but had always been let down by blown potential of past films which I'm sure everyone can guess...

Honestly this film finally scratched the itch i had for a vicious witch tale with excellent makeup/practical effects that isn't afraid to show viewers actual visuals of the main terrifying entities we've read or heard about for ages. The story also has a relative coming of age kind of feel to it with the main character that reminded me of many horror films of the 80's and made it more charming and fun. There were even some well placed sprinkles of comedy throughout that showed the film didn't have to take itself as serious or pretentious as some have.

Direction wise the camerawork is also very crisp and very well done, and the SFX add a lot to the experience. What really shines as i already mentioned, is the extreme attention to detail in the makeup/practical effects realm. To make a great creature/feature horror film, these are integral. To see a film in 2020 utilize that good old fashioned practical craft over CGI effects is very commendable and refreshing.

There are some moments that many will find cliche, and a few twists that may seem a bit unnecessary, but few and far between when considering how well done this lower budget film ends up finishing. Overall it's a fun throwback and a very straightforward horror film that gives the visual goods and the ominous feel that should come with its subject matter.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLau

Sep 23, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A tree witch is collecting children by making families forget they exist whilst wearing people's skin.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mbeckford

Sep 24, 2020

I was stoked for The Wretched as it was one of the first mainstream movies released straight to VOD after a month of pandemic lockdown. It started great ... the usual horror-movie prologue was gripping and disturbing. The story was intriguing and mildly original with a "Rear Window" sub-plotI was stoked for The Wretched as it was one of the first mainstream movies released straight to VOD after a month of pandemic lockdown. It started great ... the usual horror-movie prologue was gripping and disturbing. The story was intriguing and mildly original with a "Rear Window" sub-plot that works well. And the creature effects were outstanding. Unfortunately, the lead protagonist was dull and annoyingly selfish to the point that it dragged most of the movie down with him, redemption arc notwithstanding.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tellmikeyy

Aug 9, 2022

If this were a skinwalker movie that kills and eats people and at max can mimic voices, I’d love it more. The whole illusion tree & forgetfulness powers made no sense to this movie. Opening scene was not needed & the two twists at the end were very unnecessary and I wished didn’t happen.If this were a skinwalker movie that kills and eats people and at max can mimic voices, I’d love it more. The whole illusion tree & forgetfulness powers made no sense to this movie. Opening scene was not needed & the two twists at the end were very unnecessary and I wished didn’t happen. It’s shot great, has lovable characters & has great makeup design. It’s just The Wretched powers that make no sense and I felt this movie did too much.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EthanRucker

Aug 3, 2022

The Wretched never grabbed my attention and barely entertains for its 1:30 run time that feels like 2:30 hours. It has some good writing points and a few moments of fun dialogue along with a couple scares, but those moments don’t feel redeeming because of the overwhelming plot holes,The Wretched never grabbed my attention and barely entertains for its 1:30 run time that feels like 2:30 hours. It has some good writing points and a few moments of fun dialogue along with a couple scares, but those moments don’t feel redeeming because of the overwhelming plot holes, inconsistent writing, bad dialogue,and bad acting.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Panchogul

Jun 26, 2020

Pérdida de tiempo, relativamente entretenida, trama prometedora sin exigir demasiado, malos personajes, mala dirección, guión aparentemente escrito sin inspiración y está repleto de agujeros, las situaciones son azarosas y sin ningún rumbo aparente.

No la recomiendo a no ser de que tuPérdida de tiempo, relativamente entretenida, trama prometedora sin exigir demasiado, malos personajes, mala dirección, guión aparentemente escrito sin inspiración y está repleto de agujeros, las situaciones son azarosas y sin ningún rumbo aparente.

No la recomiendo a no ser de que tu aburrimiento sea extremo y quieras ver alguna novedad.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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