The Wretched Summary and Review - Something Wicked in The Woods
The Wretched opens with a terrifying scene as a babysitter arrives at a house for what should be a routine job, only to stumble into something far more sinister, witnessing an unspeakable act that traps her in a hellish nightmare. It sets the scene for a witch-in-the-woods horror film that blends teen thriller elements with folk horror.
Thirty-five years on, we’re introduced to Ben, who is staying with his dad for the summer after his parents’ divorce. Already battered emotionally and physically - his broken arm the result of a bungled attempt to steal from a neighbour - Ben arrives as a defensive, chippy teenager, testing the boundaries of his newfound adulthood, but still young enough to need a guiding hand.
The Wretched opens with a terrifying scene as a babysitter arrives at a house for what should be a routine job, only to stumble into something far more sinister, witnessing an unspeakable act that traps her in a hellish nightmare. It sets the scene for a witch-in-the-woods horror film that blends teen thriller elements with folk horror.
Thirty-five years on, we’re introduced to Ben, who is staying with his dad for the summer after his parents’ divorce. Already battered emotionally and physically - his broken arm the result of a bungled attempt to steal from a neighbour - Ben arrives as a defensive, chippy teenager, testing the boundaries of his newfound adulthood, but still young enough to need a guiding hand.
So Far, So Beverly Hills 90210
Next door, a young family has moved in for the summer, and mum Abby and her son, Dillon, unwittingly have a brush with a ghoulish witch in the woods as she tries to tempt Dillon into her lair. Although thwarted, the creature isn’t put off easily and hitches a lift by way of a stag that Abby hits in her truck, leading to one of the film’s memorable sequences when the carcass is gutted and found to be rotting from within.
Meanwhile, Ben is working with his dad at the local marina and meets co-worker Mallory (Mal), and the two are immediately drawn to each other. When his dad invites him to dinner with his new girlfriend, Sarah, Ben instead gets waylaid by Mal’s invitation to a party where the local privileged crowd humiliate him, and he manages to alienate Mal with his antics involving another girl. This is compounded when he’s insufferably rude to Sarah, further straining the relationship with his father. So far, so Beverly Hills 90210.
Next door, a young family has moved in for the summer, and mum Abby and her son, Dillon, unwittingly have a brush with a ghoulish witch in the woods as she tries to tempt Dillon into her lair. Although thwarted, the creature isn’t put off easily and hitches a lift by way of a stag that Abby hits in her truck, leading to one of the film’s memorable sequences when the carcass is gutted and found to be rotting from within.
Meanwhile, Ben is working with his dad at the local marina and meets co-worker Mallory (Mal), and the two are immediately drawn to each other. When his dad invites him to dinner with his new girlfriend, Sarah, Ben instead gets waylaid by Mal’s invitation to a party where the local privileged crowd humiliate him, and he manages to alienate Mal with his antics involving another girl. This is compounded when he’s insufferably rude to Sarah, further straining the relationship with his father. So far, so Beverly Hills 90210.
A Tale of Witchy Possession
From here, the film shifts gear into a tale of witchy possession, death and destruction. The witch inhabits Abby, weaves a spell to deceive her husband, and sets her sights on the children. Ben’s suspicions are aroused by strange goings-on next door and, before long, Dillon reaches out to him for help. Now on high alert, Ben begins watching the house closely, gradually uncovering strange symbols and fragments of folklore that reveal the nature of the evil he’s dealing with.
As Ben begins to understand the extent of the danger, he tries to alert those around him, who remain stubbornly oblivious. This piles on the psychological drama, in the style of Rear Window, and escalates Ben’s frustration as the witch’s manipulations start to threaten more people around him, including Mal’s younger sister.
From here, the film shifts gear into a tale of witchy possession, death and destruction. The witch inhabits Abby, weaves a spell to deceive her husband, and sets her sights on the children. Ben’s suspicions are aroused by strange goings-on next door and, before long, Dillon reaches out to him for help. Now on high alert, Ben begins watching the house closely, gradually uncovering strange symbols and fragments of folklore that reveal the nature of the evil he’s dealing with.
As Ben begins to understand the extent of the danger, he tries to alert those around him, who remain stubbornly oblivious. This piles on the psychological drama, in the style of Rear Window, and escalates Ben’s frustration as the witch’s manipulations start to threaten more people around him, including Mal’s younger sister.
A Thoroughly Decent Low-Budget Horror
The story takes its time setting the scene and establishing the characters, and it does meander somewhat at the start. We could have done without some of the lengthier teen drama sequences - while they frame Ben’s increasing isolation in the context of not being believed, they do outstay their welcome. That said, it’s worth sticking with, as the final act escalates the tension sharply and takes us on a thrill ride as Ben tries to outwit the witch before more children disappear.
The backstory isn’t always as fleshed out as it could be. There’s no explanation of the witch's origins, where she’s been for thirty years or why she’s resurfaced. And it’s unclear how the witch enters her victims, as the exit is grotesquely graphic and she can’t possibly have taken hold of them in the same way. Still, this prvoides some horrifying sequences and the film’s momentum and atmosphere are strong enough to prevent the viewer dwelling for too long on these questions.
The acting is solid enough to carry the film without being outstanding, although Zarah Mahler’s deeply unsettling physical distortions as a possessed Abby deserve a mention. On that note, the practical effects are particularly impressive given the modest budget. The witch herself is viscerally unpleasant, with her contorted movements and chittering, chomping sounds making every appearance skin-crawlingly effective.
This is a thoroughly decent low-budget horror that delivers enough thrills and chills, with a generous measure of body horror and creature-feature nastiness to keep you invested. There is a nice twist, worthy of M. Night Shyamalan, doubling the drama in the closing scenes, followed by a final beat that leaves just enough unease to make you wonder what might come next in the witch’s world. Worth a watch? Absolutely. Just be prepared to let the pot come to the boil.
The story takes its time setting the scene and establishing the characters, and it does meander somewhat at the start. We could have done without some of the lengthier teen drama sequences - while they frame Ben’s increasing isolation in the context of not being believed, they do outstay their welcome. That said, it’s worth sticking with, as the final act escalates the tension sharply and takes us on a thrill ride as Ben tries to outwit the witch before more children disappear.
The backstory isn’t always as fleshed out as it could be. There’s no explanation of the witch's origins, where she’s been for thirty years or why she’s resurfaced. And it’s unclear how the witch enters her victims, as the exit is grotesquely graphic and she can’t possibly have taken hold of them in the same way. Still, this prvoides some horrifying sequences and the film’s momentum and atmosphere are strong enough to prevent the viewer dwelling for too long on these questions.
The acting is solid enough to carry the film without being outstanding, although Zarah Mahler’s deeply unsettling physical distortions as a possessed Abby deserve a mention. On that note, the practical effects are particularly impressive given the modest budget. The witch herself is viscerally unpleasant, with her contorted movements and chittering, chomping sounds making every appearance skin-crawlingly effective.
This is a thoroughly decent low-budget horror that delivers enough thrills and chills, with a generous measure of body horror and creature-feature nastiness to keep you invested. There is a nice twist, worthy of M. Night Shyamalan, doubling the drama in the closing scenes, followed by a final beat that leaves just enough unease to make you wonder what might come next in the witch’s world. Worth a watch? Absolutely. Just be prepared to let the pot come to the boil.
★★★⯪☆
Character & Production Details
Ben: John-Paul Howard
Mallory: Piper Curda
Abby: Zarah Mahler
Dillon: Blane Crockarell
Writer: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Director: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Year of Release: 2019
Runtime: 95 minutes
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