X
- 2020
- Not Rated
- IFC Midnight
- 1 h 35 m
- 2020
- Not Rated
- IFC Midnight
- 1 h 35 m
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. B...
Directed By: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Written By: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
- 2020
- Not Rated
- IFC Midnight
- 1 h 35 m
- 2020
- Not Rated
- IFC Midnight
- 1 h 35 m
The Wretched
61
6.1
Where to Watch
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. B...
Directed By: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Written By: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
61
60% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
33% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
7% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
61
60% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
33% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
7% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
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.
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.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 User Ratings
6.1
48% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
40% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
12% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 User Ratings
6.1
48% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
40% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
12% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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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 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.
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The film successfully mixes together a lot of things, from the waterfront tourist-town setting of “Jaws” to a general teen fantasy-adventure feel that tempers (without weakening) horror content variably redolent of “It,” “Fright Night” and myriad other predecessors. If originality isn’t a strong suit here, the film’s conviction and polish make that a minor sin.
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.
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.
The Wretched is a polished reasonably tight tale of a witch infestation coming to rural, lakeside Michigan, and the teenage boy who screams “Why won’t anybody BELIEVE me?”
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.
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.
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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.
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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 tu aburrimiento sea extremo y quieras ver alguna novedad.
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Production Company
Cailleach Productions
Release Date May 1, 2020
Duration 1 h 35 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline Something wicked wants inside.
Awards
Grimmfest
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Toronto After Dark Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Fright Meter Awards
• 2 Nominations
