Pyewacket (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Pyewacket is a 2018 horror thriller directed by Adam MacDonald, starring Bianca Melchior as Pyewacket, Nicole Muñoz and Laurie Holden. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $166,610 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Adam MacDonald
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Midnight
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Pyewacket About?
The premise of Pyewacket without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A grieving teenager, unable to cope with loss, attempts a dark ritual to banish her sorrow. However, her actions inadvertently summon a dangerous supernatural force known as Pyewacket. As the line between the real world and a terrifying darkness fades, she and her mother find themselves targeted by the malevolent entity. Leah must now face the frightening consequences of her actions and fight to protect them both from Pyewacket's wrath.
Pyewacket Cast & Characters
Bianca Melchior leads the cast as Pyewacket, with Nicole Muñoz as Leah Reyes and Laurie Holden as Mrs. Reyes. Directed by Adam MacDonald; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Adam MacDonald
- Bianca Melchior as Pyewacket
- Nicole Muñoz as Leah Reyes
-
Laurie Holden as Mrs. Reyes - Chloe Rose as Janice
Also Starring in Pyewacket
· 6 more- James McGowan Rowan Dove
- Eric Osborne Aaron
- Victoria Sanchez Teacher
- Missy Peregrym 911 Operator
- Romeo Carere Rob
- Mikey Brisson High School Student
More from Adam MacDonald
More films directed by Adam MacDonald, best-rated first: Backcountry, Out Come the Wolves and This Is Not a Test.
Pyewacket Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Pyewacket 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).
Pyewacket Echo Score Breakdown
In overall terms, Pyewacket delivers a mixed experience that balances strong performances and an unnerving atmosphere against pacing and narrative shortcomings. The film’s direction and visual approach create moments of genuine dread, supported by effective sound design and editing. However, the plot’s slow burn leads to ambivalence, with an abrupt finale that undercuts its psychological build-up. Consequently, while the character dynamics and craft elements stand out, the uneven storytelling and modest payoff result in a moderately engaging but not fully satisfying horror entry.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of art and craft, Pyewacket presents a combination of inventive framing and subtle composition alongside occasional budgetary shortcomings in set design and shot execution. The use of wide-angle setups heightens suspense in key moments, yet certain sequences reveal a lack of polish that distracts from immersion. Overall, the film’s visual efforts are commendable but uneven in consistency.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from nuanced lead performances that convey genuine tension and empathy. The mother-daughter relationship is rendered with credible chemistry, enhancing the psychological core of the story. Secondary characters, however, receive limited development, occasionally diminishing the overall emotional resonance. Net, the central portrayals remain the film’s strongest asset.
- Story & Flow 55
When evaluating story and flow, Pyewacket unfolds through a deliberate slow burn that builds psychological tension but sometimes sacrifices narrative momentum. Certain plot threads remain ambiguous, contributing to engagement for some yet causing confusion for others. The pacing before the climax may feel protracted, and the conclusion arrives with limited resolution. On balance, the narrative proves intriguing but uneven in delivery.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and editing deliver a palpable tension, employing measured silences and sudden sonic shifts to heighten dread. The score, however, occasionally feels heavy-handed, undermining subtler scares. Visually, the muted color palette supports the insidious mood, making the overall sensory approach effective even when its components vary in restraint.
- Rewatch Factor 45
When considering rewatch factor, Pyewacket’s deliberate pacing and ambiguous resolution may limit its appeal for repeat viewings. The psychological nuances and symbolic moments could reward a second look for some, yet the film’s meager payoff and narrative gaps reduce its lasting allure. Overall, replay value remains modest and selective.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 83% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 51%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 6.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
13 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Pyewacket Plot Summary
What happens in Pyewacket from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Leah Reyes is a teenager drawn to black magic and occult practices. After the death of her father, her grieving mother, Mrs. Reyes, decides to move the family to a remote woodland house for a fresh start, forcing Leah to leave her school friends behind and join her.
After a fierce argument with her mother, Leah wishes death on her and performs an occult ritual in the forest from one of her books to summon the demon Pyewacket to kill her mother. However, Leah bonds with her mother shortly afterward, and she soon regrets her actions.
Full summary
The whole story of Pyewacket, scene by scene
Pyewacket Box Office
Pyewacket grossed $166,610 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$166.6K
- International
- $166.6K
Pyewacket Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer EVIL RITUAL (Official Trailer) - In Cinemas 24 January 2019
- Clip Pyewacket (2018) - Clip: Forest Seance (HD)
How Well Do You Know Pyewacket?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the teenage protagonist who practices black magic?
Cars in Pyewacket
8 cars on screen, including the 1997 Toyota Camry and the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J.
-
1997 Toyota Camry Important role -
2003 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J Important role -
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Minor role -
unknown Minor role
Pyewacket Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Espiritu del mal” and “Pyewacket - Vigyázz, mit kívánsz!”.
- Also known as
-
- Espiritu del mal
- Pyewacket - Vigyázz, mit kívánsz!
- Злой дух
- Espíritu del mal
- 파이와켓: 죽음의 주문
- Rytuał Zła
- Pyewacket - Tödlicher Fluch
- Magie noire
- Зъл дух
- Pyewacket: Entidade Maligna
- Злий дух
- Pyewacket - Entidade Malígna
+3 more Show fewer
- 猫妖, ახლობელი სული
- Evil Ritual
- ブラック・ウィッチ
Seen Pyewacket?
Pyewacket FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Pyewacket, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Pyewacket?
Pyewacket runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Pyewacket released?
Pyewacket was released on March 23, 2018.
Who directed Pyewacket?
Pyewacket was directed by Adam MacDonald.
More films by Adam MacDonald Who is in the cast of Pyewacket?
Pyewacket stars Bianca Melchior as Pyewacket, Nicole Muñoz as Leah Reyes and Laurie Holden as Mrs. Reyes, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Pyewacket make at the box office?
Pyewacket grossed $166,610 worldwide.
How is Pyewacket rated?
Pyewacket has 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic, 59% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Pyewacket have a post-credit scene?
No. Pyewacket has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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