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Horror film

The Wretched (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Wretched (2020) movie poster

The Wretched is a 2020 horror film directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce, starring John-Paul Howard as Ben, Jamison Jones and Piper Curda. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $4.4 million worldwide on a $5,000 budget. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
worldwide gross
$4.4M
Echo Score
60
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The Wretched (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$5K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wretched About?

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

During a summer spent with his estranged father at a coastal marina, a troubled teenager named Ben finds himself facing more than just awkward family dynamics. He soon suspects a sinister force is targeting the local children, and as he investigates, he uncovers a malevolent presence lurking in the nearby woods. Dismissed and disbelieved, Ben must confront his own inner demons while desperately trying to protect the community and stop the terrifying entity before it claims another victim.

The Wretched Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • bed
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Cast & crew

The Wretched Cast & Characters

John-Paul Howard leads the cast as Ben, with Jamison Jones as Liam and Piper Curda as Mallory. Directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce

More films directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce: The Wretched and DeadHeads.

Ratings

The Wretched Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wretched 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

60 /100

The Wretched Echo Score Breakdown

The Wretched presents a mixed overall impression with notable strengths in craft and sensory atmosphere but struggles in narrative focus and character depth. Reviews praise the practical effects, creature design, and unsettling mood while criticizing uneven plotting and a lack of compelling protagonists. The pacing and story cohesion elicit debate, resulting in an experience that feels both engaging and flawed. Overall, it offers a competent low-budget thriller that may satisfy genre enthusiasts despite its shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from well-executed practical effects, crisp camerawork, and strong creature design. Makeup and production design receive consistent praise for their detail and authenticity. Editing is occasionally described as rough, leading to minor jarring transitions. Nevertheless, the overall craftsmanship contributes to a polished aesthetic that enhances the film’s atmospheric impact.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, reviews point to a bland lead performance and underdeveloped figures. While moments of familial anxiety resonate, many find the teen protagonist unconvincing and self-centered. Supporting characters receive minimal depth, limiting emotional engagement. As a result, the film’s ability to foster strong viewer empathy remains limited, yielding a less compelling emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 45

    With respect to story and flow, the narrative is viewed as uneven and overstuffed, splitting focus between family drama and witch lore. Pacing issues arise from unnecessary twists and underexplored subplots, resulting in occasional confusion. Some original elements earn mild praise, but plot holes and derivative genre borrowing undercut engagement. Ultimately, the storyline feels serviceable but falls short of full cohesion or innovation.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels through unsettling sound design, an eerie score, and striking visual style. Practical effects and creature work deliver skin-crawling impact, while atmospheric cinematography heightens suspense. Shivery setups and textured production design further immerse the viewer. These elements combine to forge a consistently disquieting ambiance that stands as one of the film’s most memorable achievements.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s effective practical effects and nostalgic atmosphere may appeal to genre fans on repeat viewings. However, narrative inconsistencies and limited character depth weaken replay value for broader audiences. While strong sensory moments invite a second look, the uneven story structure makes sustained revisits less rewarding. The film offers moderate lasting appeal within its niche.

Plot

The Wretched Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Wretched from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The year was 1985, and Megan (Sydne Mikelle) found herself ensnared in a chilling nightmare at the Gambel residence. While settling in for a babysitting job, she was drawn by a sinister noise echoing from the basement, leading her to confront a horrific sight feasting on its young victims. In a frantic attempt to escape, Megan bolted up the stairs, only to meet a gruesome end at the hands of Mr. Gambel. As her life faded away, a haunting symbol engraved on the door appeared to mock her tragic fate.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Wretched Box Office & Budget

The Wretched grossed $4.4 million worldwide on a $5,000 budget. $1.8 million came from the US and Canada and $2.6 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.4M

US & Canada
$1.8M
International
$2.6M
Budget
$5K
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Videos

The Wretched Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

THE WRETCHED Trailer (2020)
  • Clip "Deer"
  • Clip "Do As I Say"
  • Clip "Don't Let Her In"
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes Makeup Effects
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wretched?

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

Who is Megan in the story?

Details

The Wretched Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Madre oscura (The Wretched)” and “The Witch Next Door”.

Also known as
  • Madre oscura (The Wretched)
  • The Witch Next Door
  • Первая ведьма
  • 森林恶鬼
  • Madre oscura
  • 더 레치드: 악령의 저주, ტყის გრძნეული
  • A Bruxa da Casa ao Lado
  • Wiedźma
  • Mẹ Quỷ
  • 皮行者
  • Démon zatracení
  • A hívatlan
+8 more
  • Перша відьма
  • Démon zatratenia
  • העלובים
  • Davetsiz
  • Sărmanul
  • The Wretched - La madre oscura
  • 凶鄰
  • ウィッチサマー

Seen The Wretched?

FAQ

The Wretched FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Wretched, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Wretched?

The Wretched runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was The Wretched released?

The Wretched was released on May 1, 2020.

Who directed The Wretched?

The Wretched was directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce.

More films by Brett Pierce

Who is in the cast of The Wretched?

The Wretched stars John-Paul Howard as Ben, Jamison Jones as Liam and Piper Curda as Mallory, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Wretched make at the box office?

The Wretched grossed $4.4 million worldwide ($1.8 million domestic, $2.6 million international) on a budget of $5,000.

How is The Wretched rated?

The Wretched has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does The Wretched have a post-credit scene?

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

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