Review: The Wretched

There's one -- count 'em one -- movie tearing up the box office these days. It's playing at a handful of drive-ins across North America, and earning the top spot in terms of money made for five weekends in a row.

It's called The Wretched.

That's right, IFC Midnight saw fit to stick with its release schedule despite COVID-19, and I'm glad they did. I was able to catch The Wretched on VOD and had myself a good time.

From writer/directors Drew T. Pierce and Brett Pierce, The Wretched is very much a throwback to 80s horror, but takes place in the present day. It can best be described as Fright Night with a Witch, with a teenage boy trying to convince people an evil witch has moved in next door and is making people disappear.

Now, The Wretched offers nothing new. It borrows heavily from a bunch of other movies, especially the aforementioned 80s flicks. But that's OK. The references are a kind of comfort food. I knew what I wanted, knew what I was getting, and enjoyed my watch as such. Is it scary? No. Is it entertaining? Yes. Sold!

The Brothers Pierce are competent filmmakers. The movie looks good, and the acting is good enough. The pacing works and, unlike a lot of modern horror, it has a most welcome spirit of fun.

In the mood for a decent diversion tonight? Give The Wretched a watch. It's a Good.

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