Vertigo, Out now on various digital platforms 

‘Somethin’ wicked gonna come!’ 

The latest from the Pierce brothers, who gave us the comedy horror zombie flick Deadheads, The Wretched is a much more serious affair and infinitely more creepy.

We begin, as a lot of TV and movies do these days, by throwing us into a set piece and then working backwards – in this instance something really disturbing feasting in a basement. Wind back to five days ago, and troubled teenager Ben (John-Paul Howard from Snatchers and Hell or High Water) is travelling to stay with his dad (Jamison Jones from True Detective) – who also gives him a part-time job working at the local marina. There Ben meets love interest Mallory (Youth & Consequences’ Piper Curda), a girl he turns to when he starts to suspect something strange is going on with the new next-door neighbours in their vacation home.

Hearing strange noises in the night, Ben finds a hole in their house leading to that same basement. And the couple’s son, Dillon (Blane Crockarell), seems to be terrified now of his mum Abbie (Nightmare Cinema’s Zarah Mahler). What neither Ben nor Dillon know is that something came back with Abbie from a recent hunting trip in the forest, something that lives under an ancient tree. Now it’s intent on wearing human skin like clothing, and eating what children it can get its hands on, including Mallory’s little sister. As Ben does more research, the frightening reality of what he’s dealing with comes to light… not that he’s able to convince any of the adults about it (in true Disturbia or Fright Night fashion)… and the scene is set for a terrifying, claustrophobic finale.

The Wretched does an effective job of combining folklore and mythology with out and out scares, Blair Witch style, plus throwing into the mix a Thing-like paranoia about who may or may not be the people they claim they are. The actors do a great job of convincing you they’re wrapped up in all this (Howard and Jones in particular have definite chemistry as an awkward father and son), and the make-up effects are suitably grisly. There are also a couple of twists which, though you might see coming, still pack a hefty punch – and the final note of ambiguity is genuinely unnerving. In short, perfect Friday or Saturday night chiller material with a few beers and some popcorn, especially if you’re still in isolation.

Verdict: ‘Don’t let her in!’                                                                        

Paul Kane 8/10