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Horror thriller

Pyewacket (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Pyewacket (2018) movie poster

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.

Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$166.6K
Echo Score
62
Metascore
56
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Pyewacket (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Adam MacDonald
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Pyewacket

· 6 more
From the director

More from Adam MacDonald

More films directed by Adam MacDonald, best-rated first: Backcountry, Out Come the Wolves and This Is Not a Test.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

62 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Pyewacket Box Office

Pyewacket grossed $166,610 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$166.6K

International
$166.6K
Videos

Pyewacket Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Pyewacket – Official Trailer I HD I IFC Midnight
  • Trailer EVIL RITUAL (Official Trailer) - In Cinemas 24 January 2019
  • Clip Pyewacket (2018) - Clip: Forest Seance (HD)
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the teenage protagonist who practices black magic?

Cars

Cars in Pyewacket

8 cars on screen, including the 1997 Toyota Camry and the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J.

All 8 cars
  • 1997 Toyota Camry in Pyewacket 1997 Toyota Camry Important role
  • 2003 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J in Pyewacket 2003 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J Important role
  • 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan in Pyewacket 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Minor role
  • unknown in Pyewacket unknown Minor role
Details

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
  • 猫妖, ახლობელი სული
  • Evil Ritual
  • ブラック・ウィッチ

Seen Pyewacket?

FAQ

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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