While it may not push the genre’s boundaries or achieve anything new, The Wretched is an assured modern horror that will undoubtedly find fans. The Wretched is available to stream and buy from 8 May 2020 on all major platforms.
Having done the rounds at several Horror Film Festivals in late 2019, the Pierce brothers’ latest journey into darkness takes inspiration from a range of classic Stephen King and Dean Koontz titles. The story opens 35 years earlier with a chilling discovery in a small United States coastal town, then takes us to the present, where 17-year-old Ben (John-Paul Howard) arrives at his father’s seaside home.
Ben is still coming to terms with his mum and dad’s separation and plans to spend his summer working at the local marina with his dad. However, as the sun beats down, Ben grows concerned about his dad’s neighbours, a young couple with a son and baby, and spies on them from his balcony to understand the strange events unfolding. But sometimes, it’s best not to dig, as who knows what you may find!
While The Wretched may offer us the classic summer-horror mix of hormonal teens, sunshine, and scares, its horror lies in the dark, hidden world beneath our feet. Here, we find elements of The Gate and Stranger Things at play as The Wretched explores classic monster-in-plain-sight territory.
However, despite an attempted shock twist in its final act, it also fails to offer us anything new. But this weakness does not detract from the entertaining slice of teen horror that The Wretched provides, as it ticks all the standard horror boxes while joyfully ditching CGI in favour of excellent practical effects. While it may not push the genre’s boundaries or achieve anything new, The Wretched is an assured modern horror that will undoubtedly find fans.
Directors: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Cast: John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, Jamison Jones, Azie Tesfai, Zarah Mahler
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