IT'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE! // A REVIEW OF "THE WRETCHED"
The great thing about horror movies is the exact thing that bogs so many down: the scares. From the jump scare to the fearful chase, we've come to expect them and since we've been scared by so many great ones, we've come to have high expectations. We can be absolutely terrified or feel like we've already seen this film, especially those that borrow far too much on others. But if a horror film really isn't scary, but lays on the creep factor in a satisfying way, can it still be called successful? I will argue that yes, it can, and the new stylistic horror film THE WRETCHED has some very well-done creep to spare.
Ben (John-Paul Howard) is your typical moody teenager dealing with his parents divorce. His new summer job is at a Marina, which his father runs. He is immediately drawn to the pretty mean girl, who runs with a team of other mean kids. But his co-worker Mallory (Piper Curda) is immediately drawn to him, falling for his unassuming looks and gentle manner. So far, we have the making of a classic teen coming of age film. However, there is something terribly wrong in this town, and it seems that Ben is the only one that is noticing it. His next door neighbors are acting very strange and their little boy disappears but no one seems to remember him. Ben realizes that it's up to him to crack this strange puzzle building around him.
What works best in THE WRETCHED is the atmosphere. Cinematographer Conor Murphy creates a disturbingly strange and beautiful world around them. The cast are all game and though some shine brighter than others (Piper Curda is a natural talent and John-Paul Howard is a very likable lead hero), no one drags the action down. The creatures are creepy and the pacing is solid. What doesn't quite work is the scares. The film never has any true scary moments and you're often ahead of the next scare before it happens. However, due to the love that the filmmakers put into the film, it still is a truly fun ride, even if the final moments consist of a bad car stunt and a last twist shot that doesn't quite work. THE WRETCHED is a fun and old fashioned spook-fest. You may not jump clean out of your seat in fear, but you'll have a blast on the ride.
GRADE: B
WRITTEN BY Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce DIRECTED BY Brett Pierce STARRING John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, Jamison Jones, Azie Tesfai, Zarah Mahler, Kevin Bigley, Blane Crockarell. Now available on VOD.