🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Babak Anvari
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 4.1/10 (23K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bartender finds a cursed phone, and suddenly roaches are his biggest relationship problem… besides his actual relationship problems.
🍿 Wounds: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Bar Fight and the Lost Phone
Will, a bartender in New Orleans, finds his life disrupted after a violent bar fight. A group of college students are involved, and in the chaos, they leave a phone behind. Will takes the phone, unaware of the unsettling events it will unleash. This sets the stage for the film’s descent into the disturbing and mysterious.

Unsettling Messages and Strange Occurrences
Will begins receiving bizarre messages and disturbing images on the found phone. The messages hint at a supernatural presence and a ‘tunnel.’ Simultaneously, his girlfriend, Carrie, becomes increasingly withdrawn and fixated on the disturbing content, further isolating them from each other. The relationship begins to fray under the increasing tension.

Descent into Madness
As Will delves deeper into the mysteries of the phone, he experiences hallucinations and paranoia. His relationships crumble, and his grip on reality weakens. The line between the natural and supernatural blurs, pushing him toward a horrifying revelation. The film visually represents his psychological breakdown through increasingly unsettling imagery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Will (Armie Hammer): A troubled bartender whose life unravels after finding a mysterious phone linked to disturbing events.
- Carrie (Dakota Johnson): Will’s girlfriend, a student who becomes increasingly disturbed by the unsettling phenomena connected to the phone.
- Alicia (Zazie Beetz): A friend of Will and Carrie who becomes entangled in the strange occurrences and Will’s deteriorating state.
- Jeffrey (Karl Glusman): Alicia’s boyfriend and a friend of Will, who gets caught up in the escalating horror.
- Eric (Brad William Henke): A bar patron whose violent injury becomes a focal point for the supernatural forces at play.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Will: “You don’t want to see it. You don’t want to see it, it’s awful.” – Will says this, foreshadowing the horrific images and events connected to the phone, warning others of its dark content.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Wounds Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit, I was super confused after watching this! The first half really hooked me with the creepy atmosphere and Armie Hammer’s increasingly unhinged performance. But then the ending just…happened. I’m still trying to figure out the whole cockroach thing and what that tunnel video was all about. Still, it’s one of those movies that sticks with you, even if you don’t fully understand it. Definitely not for everyone, but if you’re into weird, unsettling stuff, give it a shot. The scene where Garrett throws up teeth? I’m never forgetting that!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of slow-burn horror”
- “Viewers who enjoy ambiguous endings”
- “People interested in psychological thrillers with supernatural elements”
- “Those familiar with Southern Gothic themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Strong language”
- “Substance abuse”
- “Suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Wounds is a slow-burn descent into madness, fueled by unsettling imagery and strong performances, especially from Armie Hammer. While the ambiguity frustrates some, it adds to the film’s pervasive sense of dread, crafting an effective if uneven horror experience.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite solid acting, Wounds suffers from a murky plot and an unsatisfying ending. Babak Anvari creates a palpable sense of unease, but ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive narrative, leaving audiences more confused than scared.
Audience Reactions
The unsettling atmosphere and Armie Hammer’s portrayal of a man unraveling are praised.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s commitment to creating a disturbing mood, even if the plot was confusing.
Overall Consensus: Wounds is a divisive film; many find the plot confusing and the ending unsatisfying, while others appreciate the unsettling atmosphere and strong performances.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the novella ‘The Visible Filth’ by Nathan Ballingrud, known for his unsettling and atmospheric horror writing.”
- “Director Babak Anvari previously directed ‘Under the Shadow’, a critically acclaimed Persian-language horror film, setting high expectations for ‘Wounds’.”
- “The film explores themes of male fragility, addiction, and the allure of the unknown, tapping into deeper psychological anxieties.”
- “The use of practical effects, especially regarding the wound and insect imagery, was prioritized to enhance the film’s visceral impact.”
🖥️ How to Watch Wounds?
As of October 2024, ‘Wounds’ is available for streaming on Hulu. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Wounds, you might like these similar films:
- Under the Shadow (2016): Directed by the same director, Babak Anvari, it showcases his skill in creating atmospheric and psychological horror.
- The Ring (2002): Features a cursed object (a videotape) that brings about a supernatural threat, similar to the cursed phone in ‘Wounds’.
- Baskin (2015): Shares the surreal and disturbing body horror elements.
🛒 Wounds Related Products
- The Visible Filth: A Novella: Explore the source material behind Wounds! This horror novella by Nathan Ballingrud delves deeper into the themes of dread and the occult, providing context and answers not explicitly found in the movie.
- Cockroach Fidget Toy: A stress ball that’s shaped like a cockroach! Sure to trigger the same creeping feeling this movie invokes.
- Horror Movie-Themed Phone Case: Show off your love for unsettling horror with a stylized phone case featuring imagery inspired by films like ‘Wounds’. Durable protection with a unique, conversation-starting design.
- Ritual Candles for Home Cleansing: After watching Wounds you may feel the need to cleanse your house. Comes with sage, incense and instructions!
🎧 Soundtrack
Wounds features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The title ‘Wounds’ refers to both physical wounds, like Eric’s injury, and the deeper, more insidious wounds within the characters’ psyches. These wounds serve as portals for the supernatural entity to enter their lives and corrupt them.
Cockroaches symbolize decay, filth, and the pervasive nature of the evil that infects the characters. They visually represent the encroaching darkness and Will’s deteriorating mental state.
Yes, ‘Wounds’ is based on the novella ‘The Visible Filth’ by Nathan Ballingrud. The film adapts the core themes and unsettling narrative of the novella, exploring similar themes of inner turmoil and supernatural horror.
🔥 Bonus Content
WOUNDS (2019) Ending Explained
Confused by the ending of ‘Wounds’? This video breaks it down, explaining the ritual and the characters’ arcs. Honestly, I was totally lost until I watched this, it really cleared things up!
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