Pyewacket Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Emo teen accidentally summons a forest opossum with anger issues after her mom makes her move to the woods, leading to predictable spooky shenanigans and questionable life choices.

🍿 Pyewacket: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Family in Grief

Leah, a teen deep into occult practices, lives with her grieving mother, Mrs. Reyes, after the death of Leah’s father. The mother-daughter relationship is strained, especially when Mrs. Reyes decides to move them to a remote cabin in the woods to start anew. Leah is distraught at the prospect of leaving her friends and resents her mother’s decision.

The Ritual

During a heated argument, Leah, fueled by anger and teenage angst, performs a dark ritual in the woods to summon Pyewacket, a witch’s familiar, with the intent to kill her mother. Almost immediately, Leah regrets her actions as strange occurrences begin plaguing their home.

Regret and Consequences

Leah attempts to undo the ritual, seeking help from an occult expert. However, Pyewacket is already at work, manipulating Leah’s perception and blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. Her friend Janice experiences something terrifying during a sleepover and refuses to explain. Leah becomes increasingly paranoid, unsure of what is real and what is a manifestation of Pyewacket.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Leah Reyes (Nicole Muñoz): An angst-ridden teenager who performs a ritual to summon a witch’s familiar to kill her mother, only to regret her actions.
• Mrs. Reyes (Laurie Holden): A grieving widow and mother who moves to a remote home with her daughter, leading to conflict and tragic consequences.
• Pyewacket (Bianca Melchior): A malevolent entity summoned by Leah who manipulates her and blurs the line between reality and illusion.
• Rowan Dove (James McGowan): An occult expert and author whom Leah seeks for help, offering cryptic advice about Pyewacket’s nature.
• Janice (Chloe Rose): Leah’s friend who visits her new home and experiences a terrifying event, becoming withdrawn and fearful.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rowan Dove: “Pyewacket can take many forms, so don’t trust your lying eyes.” – Warns Leah about the deceptive nature of the entity she summoned, emphasizing its ability to manipulate perceptions.
• Leah: “I wish you were dead!” – Spoken in a moment of intense anger towards her mother, triggering the events of the film.
• Rowan Dove: “You performed a summoning ritual to kill your mother. You have to perform it in reverse.” – Explaining to Leah the only possible way to undo what she has done

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $166,610

💥 Pyewacket Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Pyewacket’ expecting a typical jump-scare horror fest, but I was pleasantly surprised. The movie really got under my skin by focusing on the strained relationship between Leah and her mother. I felt Leah’s frustration and anger, making her impulsive decision to perform the ritual believable. The ending left me with chills, questioning what was real and what was a manifestation of Leah’s guilt and grief. Definitely one that sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror movies”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy films dealing with occult themes”
  • “People who appreciate character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of grief and familial conflict”
  • “Disturbing imagery and frightening scenes”
  • “Violence, including self-harm”
  • “Occult themes and rituals”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “This Overlooked, Frighteningly Realistic Horror Movie Will Devastate You in Ways Others in the Genre Don’t. Pyewacket delves into realistic mother-daughter conflict, amplifying the horror through emotional resonance.
• IMDB User Review: ” ‘Pyewacket’ is a masterclass in horror filmmaking. The film takes time to build suspense, allowing us to connect with the characters. The horror comes from atmospheric build-up and creepy visuals. Laurie Holden stands out, and Nicole Muñoz makes you care about her character.
• IMDB User Review: “A solid, relatively well-crafted story with a memorable ending. Pyewacket is successful in its attempt to build suspense and tension though, and the cast, script, and direction are good enough to hold your attention until the end despite the fact that very little is actually directly shown in terms of the evil presence at work here.

Audience Reactions

Creepy visuals and atmospheric suspense made this a genuinely unsettling experience.: Viewers appreciated the slow burn and focus on character development before the horror elements kicked in.

The tension between the mother and daughter was palpable, creating a believable and relatable conflict.: The strong performances, especially from Nicole Muñoz, were frequently praised for their authenticity.

Overall Consensus: ‘Pyewacket’ is a slow-burn horror film that prioritizes character development and atmospheric tension over jump scares, creating a chilling and thought-provoking experience for viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The name ‘Pyewacket’ is derived from a 17th-century British pamphlet detailing witch trials, where Pyewacket was described as a familiar spirit.”
• “Director Adam MacDonald aimed to create a horror film that relied on atmosphere and psychological tension rather than jump scares or gore.”
• “Filming took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, chosen for its remote woodland locations that added to the film’s eerie atmosphere.”
• “The film explores themes of grief, guilt, and the consequences of impulsive actions, reflecting a dark and realistic portrayal of teenage angst.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pyewacket?

As of October 2024, ‘Pyewacket’ is available for streaming on various platforms. Check services like Shudder, AMC+, or Tubi, which often feature independent horror films. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so be sure to check local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pyewacket, you might like these similar films:

• The Witch (2015): Both films explore the themes of witchcraft, isolation, and the disintegration of a family in a historical/rural setting, creating a similar atmosphere of dread and paranoia.
• Hereditary (2018): This film shares similar themes of grief, family trauma, and the unraveling of reality due to supernatural forces, with a focus on psychological horror and disturbing imagery.
• The Babadook (2014): Explores the dark side of a mother-child relationship and delves into themes of grief and psychological torment, using a supernatural entity as a manifestation of inner turmoil.
• Saint Maud (2019): The main character’s growing religious obsession and the potential presence of dark forces are elements that both movies have in common

🛒 Pyewacket Related Products

• Black River, Black Magic by Rowan Dove (Fictional Book): Though a fictional book prop from the movie, you might find similar occult-themed books on Amazon. Look for titles on witchcraft, demonology, and folklore to dive deeper into the film’s themes.
• Witchcraft Starter Kit: A beginner-friendly witchcraft kit featuring crystals, herbs, candles, and instructions. Includes a guide to performing simple rituals.
• A24 Horror Blu-ray Collection: Expand your horror collection with films like ‘The Witch’ or ‘Hereditary,’ known for their atmospheric suspense and psychological themes, similar to ‘Pyewacket.’
• Cabin in the Woods Ambiance Soundscapes: Immerse yourself in the movie’s eerie atmosphere with a collection of ambient soundscapes featuring creaking cabins, wind rustling through trees, and mysterious forest noises.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pyewacket features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Honey” – performed by Weeknight

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pyewacket – Movie Review

Want to know if “Pyewacket” is worth your time? Chris Stuckmann breaks down what works and what doesn’t in this supernatural horror, and I found his points about the ending super interesting. See if you agree with his take!

✨ Rate