The Wretched Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teenage delinquent discovers his neighbor is a memory-erasing witch who really hates family dinners, leading to a summer vacation he’ll definitely forget.

🍿 The Wretched: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Summer of Disturbance

Ben, a rebellious teenager dealing with his parents’ impending divorce, is sent to live with his father, Liam, for the summer in a small coastal town. He works at the local marina, where he meets Mallory. Strange occurrences begin when the family next door, Abbie, her husband, and their son Dillon, bring home a deer carcass.

The Witch Emerges

Dillon sees something disturbing in the woods, a tree with a dark opening. Soon, the behavior of his mother, Abbie, becomes increasingly erratic. Ben notices these changes and suspects something sinister is afoot. He tries to warn others, but nobody seems to believe him, and unsettling events continue to escalate.

Forgotten Memories

As the witch’s power grows, people begin to forget those who have been taken, including children. Ben realizes the horrifying truth: a thousand-year-old witch is preying on the town, erasing victims from the memories of their loved ones. He races against time to expose the witch and save those she has captured, facing disbelief and the witch’s increasing control over the townspeople.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben (John-Paul Howard): A defiant teenager spending the summer with his father, who discovers the witch and attempts to stop her.
• Mallory (Piper Curda): Ben’s summer romance and key ally in his fight against the witch, eventually forgetting her sister.
• Abbie (Zarah Mahler): The woman next door, who becomes possessed by the thousand-year-old witch.
• Liam (Jamison Jones): Ben’s father, who initially dismisses his son’s claims but eventually helps fight the witch.
• Sara (Azie Tesfai): Liam’s girlfriend, who also falls under the witch’s control and becomes a vessel for the creature.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ben: “She feeds on the forgotten.” – Ben explains his realization that the witch’s power stems from erasing people’s memories.
• Ben: “Something’s wrong with the neighbors.” – Ben voices his growing unease and suspicion about the strange behavior of the family next door.
• Abbie (Witch): “(Whispering) Forget.” – The witch uses her power to erase the memories of people around her, making them forget about her victims.
• Mallory: “It seems nepotism is alive and kicking.” – Mallory makes a sarcastic comment. This line is notable for its self-awareness, poking fun at the entertainment industry.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.2M
• Domestic Gross: $1.8M
• Worldwide Gross: $4.4M

💥 The Wretched Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed “The Wretched”! It had a creepy 80s vibe that reminded me of “Fright Night” but with a more modern twist. The practical effects were awesome, and the witch design was genuinely unsettling. The part that got me the most was when Ben realizes everyone is forgetting about the missing kids. It definitely made me jump a couple of times, and the ending twist with Mallory left me thinking for days!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic horror films like Fright Night”
  • “Viewers who appreciate practical effects and creature features”
  • “Those who enjoy suspenseful, slow-burn horror stories”
  • “People looking for a modern take on witch mythology”
  • “Audiences interested in films with a blend of teen drama and horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild gore and violence”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Teenage alcohol use”
  • “Male rear nudity”
  • “Supernatural themes”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “A fun throwback with excellent practical effects and a creepy atmosphere that scratches that itch for a vicious witch tale. The film embraces its B-movie roots without sacrificing scares, making for a refreshing watch. Though some moments feel cliched, the overall execution elevates it.
• Horror Critic: “It had the right pieces, including a likeable protagonist, decent practical effects, and a brisk pace. But the plot felt ‘forced’ by the end and it veered into an average movie. It lacked effective scares and a sense of dread that I like in a ‘witch’ movie and the antagonist was not as frightening as I would have liked.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects and creature design were top-notch and genuinely creepy.: Viewers consistently praised the film’s commitment to practical effects over CGI, creating a more authentic horror experience.

The film’s twist ending was unexpected and added another layer of suspense.: The twist at the end was an unexpected but appreciated element that tied up lose ends and left viewers thinking

Overall Consensus: “The Wretched” is a well-crafted, low-budget horror film with a classic monster movie feel. While it may not be the scariest movie ever, it offers a fun and suspenseful viewing experience with some great practical effects and a memorable villain.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Pierce Brothers, who directed and wrote the film, were heavily influenced by the graphic novel ‘Wytches’ when creating the creature and its lore.”
• “Due to budget constraints, the filmmakers relied heavily on practical effects to bring the witch and its transformations to life.”
• “Filming took place in Northport, Michigan, utilizing the natural lakeside setting to enhance the film’s atmosphere.”
• “The film’s success was amplified by its release during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became one of the few theatrical options available, leading to an unexpected box office run.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Wretched?

The Wretched is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. It’s often available for purchase on Blu-ray and DVD as well, depending on the retailer.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Wretched, you might like these similar films:

• Fright Night (1985): Direct comparison: A teenager suspects his neighbor is a vampire and must convince others before it’s too late.
• Disturbia (2007): Thematic similar: A teenager under house arrest suspects his neighbor is a serial killer and begins to spy on him.
• The Witch (2015): Thematic Similar: Features a family in the 1630s New England who are encountering dark forces in the woods beyond their farm.
• The Hole in the Ground (2019): Modern Equivalent: A mother living in a secluded rural area begins to suspect her son is not who he seems after they encounter a mysterious sinkhole.

🛒 The Wretched Related Products

• Wytches Volume 1: A dark and disturbing comic book series that inspired the Pierce Bros. This digital comic is a must-read for fans of dark horror.
• Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1: A beautifully drawn fantasy manga series. It is a more lighthearted magical manga series and is great for those who want a little magic in their day to day life.
• Official “The Wretched” Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for the film.
• Witchcraft for Beginners: A Holistic Guide to Witchcraft: Spells, Rituals, Magic, Divination, Herbalism, and More: A holistic approach to modern witchcraft, including spells, rituals, divination, and herbalism, to help you get in touch with your inner witch and use the ancient secrets to lead a more spiritual life.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Desire (Lueur Verte Remix)” – performed by Joypopp

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Wretched (2020) Ending + Monster Explained | Haunting Tube

Confused about the ending of The Wretched? This video breaks it all down, plus explains the monster’s origins! I found it super helpful in understanding some of the more confusing plot points, you should check it out!

THE WRETCHED – Behind the Scenes Makeup Effects I HD I IFC Midnight

Ever wonder how they created those creepy effects in The Wretched? This short behind-the-scenes video gives you a peek! It’s amazing to see the artistry involved, and honestly, a bit disturbing too!

The Wretched reviewed by Mark Kermode

Want to know if The Wretched is worth watching? Mark Kermode gives his thoughts in this review. I always find his takes insightful and can help you decide if it’s the right movie for you!

✨ Rate