The Wretched, 2020.
Written and Directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce.
Starring John-Paul Howard, Azie Tesfai, Piper Curda, Kevin Bigley, Tug Coker, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Zarah Mahler, Blane Crockarell, Richard Ellis, Judah Abner Paul, Ja’layah Washington, Amy Waller, and Jamison Jones.
SYNOPSIS:
A defiant teenage boy, struggling with his parent’s imminent divorce, faces off with a thousand-year-old witch, who is living beneath the skin of and posing as the woman next door.
There comes a point in The Wretched where, as in most contemporary horror films, the protagonist heads over to the Internet for some information regarding ongoing nightmarish happenings. The form of terror here is witchcraft, naturally taking our hero to Witchypedia (which I hope is a real website for my own amusement), but unlike most other offerings, not much is learned. Characters uncovering key revelations from brief Google searches is always going to be a lazy film tactic, but The Wretched can’t even be bothered to explain anything about the malevolent creatures manipulating the memories of parents in order to move in and feast on their children, the history of the seaside town, or the insignia associated with the witch.
It’s a shame considering directors Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce (collectively simply credited as the Pierce Brothers, this being their second narrative feature) are aware of how to work with practical effects to create numerous scenes of unsettling imagery and a soundscape that relies on both ambience alongside creepy rattling noises from the witch. These filmmakers have no clear direction on what to do with this frightening being (the witch resembles more of a primal beast with claws here), only how to visually present it as something to fear (which is probably why the opening prologue wastes no time showing it chomping into a child).
The story is even less successful when focusing on the multiple teenagers and family drama surrounding the scares. Ben (newcomer John-Paul Howard) is spending the summer with his father Liam (Jamison Jones) while taking up a job at the nearby marina. He also tends to act out as a response to his father about to finalize a divorce and already dating another woman. This comes from staying out late at parties drinking alcohol and being a bit pervy, especially loving to spy on next-door neighbor Abbie (Zarah Mahler) and her family. Unsurprisingly, it’s only a matter of time before he uncovers something dark.
There’s just nothing going for The Wretched when it comes to these characters being terrorized, who for the most part are your average teenagers with nothing noteworthy to mention. As the witch is unintentionally released and free to possess bodies once more (there is a creative approach to this that I won’t spoil), Ben begins to notice Abbie acting strange while telling her young child to let him know if weird things continue to happen. The problem is that her own husband is oblivious to her strange behavior, which would be fine if there was some greater point to any of this. It’s fine to have dumb characters in horror movies, but this is a bit extreme (as are some later moments between Ben and his father).
Then there are encounters with local bullies among an attractive girl also working at the marina. Between Ben making new friends, trying to fit in, come to terms with his father’s new life, and eventually battling a witch, it’s all too much for 90 minutes to sort into anything compelling or engaging. Even the climax feels a bit abrupt before jumping right into a happy ending. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a major twist that would probably be more effective if it actually made sense. It’s hard to say anything in The Wretched is outright terrible, but it is underwhelming and squanders worthwhile creature design.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, friend me on Facebook, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, check out my personal non-Flickering Myth affiliated Patreon, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
