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Drama horror film

The Wasteland (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Wasteland (2022) movie poster

The Wasteland is a 2022 drama horror film directed by David Casademunt, starring Asier Flores as Diego, Inma Cuesta and Roberto Álamo. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and was made on a reported $2 million budget. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
Echo Score
54
budget
$2M
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The Wasteland (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
David Casademunt
Genres
Drama , Horror
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wasteland About?

The premise of The Wasteland without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A seemingly idyllic family's peaceful existence is threatened when a terrifying presence invades their isolated home. As the entity's influence grows, the family must confront the fragility of their bond and the unsettling darkness that surrounds them, testing the limits of their love and sanity.

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Cast & crew

The Wasteland Cast & Characters

Asier Flores leads the cast as Diego, with Inma Cuesta as Lucía and Roberto Álamo as Salvador. Directed by David Casademunt; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Wasteland

· 1 more
Ratings

The Wasteland Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wasteland 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in art & craft (68) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

54 /100

The Wasteland Echo Score Breakdown

The Wasteland delivers a mixed experience, with its visual ambition and occasional emotional beats offset by uneven pacing and narrative gaps. Critics praise its atmospheric craftsmanship and standout performances, while many viewers note repetitive storytelling and technical shortcomings. The film’s strength lies in its mood and cinematography, but its limited plot development and inconsistent tension hinder broader appeal. Consequently, the movie sits in the middle of the rating spectrum, reflecting a polarized reception across audiences and reviewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases striking cinematography and a carefully composed visual palette. Critics commend its atmospheric beauty and technical execution, yet several viewers criticize poor lighting and amateurish filming choices. The production design contributes to an immersive rural setting, though inconsistencies detract from overall polish. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid with notable highlights, though not uniformly flawless.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances by Inma Cuesta and Asier Flores receive acclaim for their depth. However, many reviews point to shallow premise and underdeveloped arcs, reducing emotional resonance. Some viewers feel the mother‑child dynamic is compelling, while others see the characters as under‑written. The acting is competent, but character development remains uneven, yielding a moderate impression.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is described as compelling yet repetitive, with pacing issues that stall momentum. Critics note missed opportunities and a derivative monster concept, while users frequently cite a lack of clear plot and unsatisfying resolution. The film’s originality is praised in its setting, but overall coherence suffers, resulting in a lukewarm assessment of its storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The sensory experience balances strong atmospheric soundscape and visual style against uneven technical execution. Reviewers highlight eerie sound design and a haunting visual atmosphere, though some point out poor lighting that hampers clarity. The soundtrack complements the bleak setting, and the overall sensory mood is effective, if occasionally compromised by technical flaws, leading to a moderately positive evaluation.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch value appears limited, as many viewers find the film’s slow burn and repetitive scenes diminish repeat appeal. While a minority appreciate its art‑film qualities for a second viewing, the majority cite narrative fatigue and lack of satisfying payoff. Consequently, the movie offers modest replay potential, primarily for niche horror enthusiasts, but fails to sustain broader lasting interest.

Plot

The Wasteland Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Wasteland from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Diego, Asier Flores, is a boy who lives with his parents in a shack in the middle of nowhere. His mother, Lucía, Inma Cuesta, is kind and nurturing, while his father, Salvador, Roberto Álamo is stern and solemn. One evening, Salvador explains a legend about a beast that follows a person around and feeds on their fear.

Full summary

The whole story of The Wasteland, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wasteland?

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
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Diego in the film?

Details

The Wasteland Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “The Beast” and “Зверь”.

Also known as
  • The Beast
  • Зверь
  • 황무지의 괴물
  • Stín samoty
  • A pusztaság
  • Đồng Hoang
  • Odludzie
  • Reclus
  • O Páramo
  • 兽猎荒原
  • В сердце пустоши
  • El páramo - Terrore invisibile
+13 more
  • ‏שממה
  • Die Einöde
  • Пустош
  • Ödemarken
  • Issızlık
  • Terra Devastada
  • Порожні землі
  • 荒れ野
  • Άγονη Γη
  • El páramo
  • 獸獵荒原
  • Pustietatea
  • แผ่นดินร้าง

Seen The Wasteland?

FAQ

The Wasteland FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Wasteland, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Wasteland?

The Wasteland runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was The Wasteland released?

The Wasteland was released on January 6, 2022.

Who directed The Wasteland?

The Wasteland was directed by David Casademunt.

Who is in the cast of The Wasteland?

The Wasteland stars Asier Flores as Diego, Inma Cuesta as Lucía and Roberto Álamo as Salvador, among 5 credited actors.

What was the budget of The Wasteland?

The Wasteland had a reported budget of $2 million.

How is The Wasteland rated?

The Wasteland has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Wasteland have a post-credit scene?

No. The Wasteland has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Wasteland in?

The original language of The Wasteland is Spanish.

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