Teenager Ben (John-Paul Howard) is still adapting to his parents’ recent split, making a summer visit with his dad in a small coastal town a bit strained and awkward. It doesn’t help that the popular kids are unwelcoming or that dad is already back in the dating game. But then Ben notices something really strange happening next door; something evil has taken over the skin of the mother and is preying on local children. Too bad no one believes Ben. He’ll have to square off against this evil alone.
Written/directed by Brett and Drew T. Pierce (Deadheads), The Wretched presents a familiar tale in the vein of Disturbia or Rear Window, thanks to Ben’s voyeuristic tendencies and paranoia, but gives it a dark fairy tale makeover with a unique creature feature take on a witch. From a gruesome opening sequence set 35 years prior to the main story’s events, to the initial resurfacing of this nasty skin walking witch, there’s a distinct newness about this creature’s mythology that feels refreshing.
The Pierce brothers waste no time getting right into the horror, as their witch chows down on children, but they also take their time building up their characters. Ben feels like a fully realized teen, one with a good head on his shoulders but still too rash in decision making. He spends his days working at his father’s marina, where he comes into conflict with other teens while also befriending co-worker Mallory (Piper Curda). Because we get to know Ben and the surrounding characters, we’re more invested in his investigation of the weird activity next door and the stakes feel higher.
Of course, it’s the creature that’s the biggest draw in this fun horror movie, and the witch is worth the price of admission alone. Gruesome makeup effects, as well as visual effects, offers a creepy, monstrous take on a classic witch. One that’s deeply submersed in nature and folkloric origins. The Wretched very much feels like a contemporary fairy tale. That also means it’s not quite as gory or scary as the trailer suggests.
As compelling and interesting as this particular witch is in her methodology, a third act info drop meant to propel Ben into his final confrontation with the creature screeches the momentum to a halt. While clever in theory, that key detail revealed raises far more confusing questions than it answers, and muddies up everything we thought we knew about this witch from that moment forward. Still, the climactic showdown is thrilling and it isn’t a big enough flaw to ruin the entertaining journey that came before, but it does mar an otherwise tidy, straightforward narrative.
While that key moment reveal of the third act weakens this unique story’s conclusion, The Wretched still has plenty to offer. A new creature feature with plenty more story left to tell, great FX work, and a tightly spun story that means you won’t be bored. The Pierce brothers have delivered a new dark fairy tale that the midnight crowds will enjoy.
