The Wretched 2019

A rebellious teenager dealing with his parents' divorce discovers a terrifying evil lurking next door. His neighbor becomes possessed by an ancient witch, unleashing a supernatural threat that preys on children in the community. As the disappearances escalate, he must confront the horrifying truth and fight to protect himself and others from the witch's deadly influence. What is forgotten may never be found, but some secrets refuse to stay buried.

A rebellious teenager dealing with his parents' divorce discovers a terrifying evil lurking next door. His neighbor becomes possessed by an ancient witch, unleashing a supernatural threat that preys on children in the community. As the disappearances escalate, he must confront the horrifying truth and fight to protect himself and others from the witch's deadly influence. What is forgotten may never be found, but some secrets refuse to stay buried.

Does The Wretched have end credit scenes?

No!

The Wretched does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for The Wretched

See how The Wretched is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Wretched stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

71

The Wretched delivers a modestly engaging horror experience that balances youthful melodrama with occasional unsettling moments. Critics and viewers note effective practical effects and a few surprising twists, while pointing out predictable plot elements and uneven pacing. The film’s low‑budget constraints are evident, but the core premise holds enough intrigue for most audiences. Consequently, it lands as a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in teen horror.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Wretched

70
Echo Score

Art & Craft

Visually, the film employs a restrained color palette that suits its seaside setting, and the framing often mirrors classic rear‑window suspense. Production design conveys a sleepy town atmosphere, though occasional budgetary shortcuts appear in set details. Editing maintains a steady rhythm, supporting the narrative without notable flourishes.

75
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

The central teen protagonist is given clear motivations and an earnest performance that anchors the story, while supporting characters remain largely functional. Emotional beats are conveyed through understated dialogue, allowing moments of empathy. However, several secondary roles lack depth, leading to occasional disengagement.

68
Echo Score

Story & Flow

The plot follows a relatable coming‑of‑age thread intertwined with a supernatural threat, delivering a few inventive twists that surprise viewers. Pacing fluctuates, with a measured buildup that sometimes stalls, and some plot holes diminish cohesion. Nonetheless, the overall arc remains coherent enough to sustain audience interest.

70
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

The soundscape blends ambient coastal noises with tense musical cues, enhancing the eerie mood. Practical effects provide tactile scares, while the score leans toward conventional horror motifs, avoiding overt innovation. Visual style remains serviceable, employing straightforward lighting that supports the narrative without distinct stylistic signatures.

72
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

The film’s modest twist reveals and occasional nostalgic references encourage a second viewing to catch missed details. While the core thrills are not profoundly original, the blend of teen drama and folklore offers enough variety for repeat enjoyment. Audience enthusiasm varies, but many find it worth revisiting for its charm.

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Wretched

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Read the complete plot summary of The Wretched, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In 1985, Megan Sydne Mikelle arrives at the Gambels’ home to babysit their daughter Ashley Kenzie Jones. Deep in the basement, she discovers a creature feasting on little Ashley. Terrified, Megan tries to flee, but Mr. Gambel Tug Coker deliberately shuts the door on her, and she is presumed dead as a strange sign appears on the door.

In the present, Ben Shaw John-Paul Howard comes to stay with his father Liam Jamison Jones as his parents navigate a painful divorce. Ben starts a job at the marina and quickly befriends Mallory Piper Curda. He also notices Liam growing closer to Sara Azie Tesfai, a co-worker. In the woods, Dillon Blane Crockarell, the neighbor Abbie’s son, uncovers a tree bearing the same ominous symbol from the Gambels’ house. He hears what sounds like Abbie Zarah Mahler speaking from within the tree before the real Abbie appears. They bring home a buck they hit, and that night something crawls out of the buck’s corpse.

Ben befriends Dillon, and that very night Abbie checks on Sam Owen Thomas Pierce in his crib. In his room, a crunching sound and a window left open precede Abbie discovering sticks wrapped in a blanket and then being attacked. Ben later sees Abbie slip into the forest with a child. At work, he learns that Dillon never showed up for sailing lessons. When he goes to Dillon’s house, Ty Kevin Bigley denies having a son. Later, Abbie whispers something demonic into Ty’s ear, causing him to bleed, and she then takes a shower, after which her body begins to decay.

Ben grows suspicious and reads about a witch known for possessing people and abducting children. He searches Abbie’s cellar and finds a family photo along with a photo of Mallory and Lily Ja’layah Washington, realizing the witch is targeting Lily next. He rushes to save Lily, but the witch has already pulled her into the tree. While Ben is with Sara, he notices flowers around her wilting and realizes she is possessed by the witch. When Sara lunges, he slashes her arm, but the witch makes it look like Ben attacked Sara. He is taken into custody, and the officer driving him to the station Officer Guthrie attempts to drown him at the beach until a dog attacks. The officer shoots the dog and then himself, realizing something is controlling him to kill Ben.

Meanwhile, Liam discovers the bodies of Ty and Abbie at their home. Sara attempts to stab Liam, but Ben arrives and shoots Sara. The witch crawls out of Sara’s corpse and pursues Ben, who manages to get Liam to safety as their house burns. Ben then remembers he has a younger brother, Nathan Judah Abner Paul, a detail the witch had caused him to forget.

Ben and Mallory head to the tree to rescue their siblings. As Ben pulls Nathan and Lily from danger, Liam arrives and rams his car into the witch. Later, Ben and Mallory share a goodbye kiss, with Mallory tucking a flower into Ben’s hair before she leaves to teach sailing lessons. Ben notices the flower is fake, revealing that the witch is still alive and has begun possessing Mallory, who is now alone with three children.

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Wretched

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THE WRETCHED Trailer (2020)

The Wretched Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


teenage boywitchmale rear nudityteenagerteenage protagonistembarrassing male nudityembarrassing nuditymale nuditystar appears nudemale star appears nudeclothed female naked male sceneclothed male naked male scenedaisy dukes17 year oldpolice officer commits suicide17 year old boymother son relationshipdrunken teenage boyteenage boy vomitsdirected by brothersswimming poolundressingtaking off shirttaking off pantstaking off underwearskinny dippingundressing someonetaking off someone's underwearawkward situationdareprankwoman wrapped in a towelf wordcrotch grabcrotch grabbinggrabbing one's crotchpublic nuditysexually harassed malesexually harassed manusing sex appeal as motivatorsexual harassmentman wears underwearman wears boxer shortsman wears shortsarm castmarinadenim shortslost in the woodsroadkillobscene finger gesture
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