The Wretched is a great example of the power of marketing and the state of the art of trailer making. Because, if I had seen any of that stuff, I wouldn’t have watched the movie.
This is not just a grim-dark, ninth-generation J-horror rip off of Blair witch. It’s a fun, breezy teen horror flick that captures the vibe of great 80s movies, rather than just lazily churning out another anachronistic pastiche slathered in synthpop.
Sure, it could be argued that setting a mashup of Rear Window and the Faculty in a mashup of Derry and Amity island is not the height of originality. One could also argue, and persuasively, that some of the harder edges and darker developments can sit a little queasily against the Speilbergian milieu. And you could definitely say that thing it does later (you’ll know that thing) is unearned or unnecessary or just plain too much.
So if you are a joyless curmudgeon, say all those things, miss out on the fun and stay at home.
I believe the Ghost of Christmas past will be dropping by later.
Everyone else, get some popcorn, grab your significant other at the jump scares and have a proper fun time at the movies.