The Wretched (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Directors
- Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Films
- Budget
- $5K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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.
- Co-director Brett Pierce
- Co-director Drew T. Pierce
- John-Paul Howard as Ben
- Jamison Jones as Liam
- Piper Curda as Mallory
- Richard Ellis as Gage
Also Starring in The Wretched
· 6 more- Azie Tesfai Sara
- Zarah Mahler Abbie
- Blane Crockarell Dillon
- Judah Abner Paul Nathan
- Kevin Bigley Ty
- Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden
More from Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce
More films directed by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce: The Wretched and DeadHeads.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 4.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 74% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 46%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 61 Metascore
User score 6.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.6 /5
4 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$4.4M
- US & Canada
- $1.8M
- International
- $2.6M
- Budget
- $5K
The Wretched Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Clip "Deer"
- Clip "Do As I Say"
- Clip "Don't Let Her In"
- Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes Makeup Effects
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
- 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
Who is Megan in the story?
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 Show fewer
- Перша відьма
- Démon zatratenia
- העלובים
- Davetsiz
- Sărmanul
- The Wretched - La madre oscura
- 凶鄰
- ウィッチサマー
Seen The Wretched?
Movies Like The Wretched
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Wretched, Ben and The Wicked Within.
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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