The Wraith is '80s Cheestastic
The Wraith is a 1986 American science fiction action film starring Charlie Sheen as the titular character. Directed by Mike Marvin and written by John Shirley, the movie follows a supernatural being who is out to exact revenge on a gang of Arizona drag racers for the death of his girlfriend. The Wraith was released in November 1986 and was met with mixed reviews, but has since been recognized as an influential cult classic.
At its core, The Wraith is an intriguingly unique take on the revenge genre. Through careful direction and clever writing, it creates a dark atmosphere that is both suspenseful and thrilling. Director Mike Marvin crafts some truly striking shots throughout the film’s runtime which help to amplify its spooky tone. He also utilizes a number of outdoor locations to create an even more surreal effect for certain scenes. Furthermore, Marvin successfully employs subtle visual cues - such as lighting and camera angles - to further heighten tension and drama in some sequences.
The script for The Wraith also deserves praise, as it manages to effectively blend elements of fantasy with hard-hitting action sequences that keep viewers engaged until the very end. It also provides several intriguing plot twists along the way which help add complexity to the narrative arc. Charlie Sheen delivers an assured performance in his role as The Wraith, creating a character that is both mysterious yet sympathetic at the same time. A stellar supporting cast helps further flesh out this world, with actors such as Nick Cassavetes and Sherilyn Fenn lending strong supporting performances throughout the movie’s runtime.
The Wraith may not be for everyone due to its often violent nature; however, those willing to look beyond this element will find plenty of enjoyable moments throughout. Overall, it's an excellent entry into the sci-fi/fantasy genre which displays a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in films from this era. Those seeking something offbeat yet entertaining should certainly give The Wraith a chance - its combination of moody visuals and stellar performances make it well worth watching!
At its core, The Wraith is an intriguingly unique take on the revenge genre. Through careful direction and clever writing, it creates a dark atmosphere that is both suspenseful and thrilling. Director Mike Marvin crafts some truly striking shots throughout the film’s runtime which help to amplify its spooky tone. He also utilizes a number of outdoor locations to create an even more surreal effect for certain scenes. Furthermore, Marvin successfully employs subtle visual cues - such as lighting and camera angles - to further heighten tension and drama in some sequences.
The script for The Wraith also deserves praise, as it manages to effectively blend elements of fantasy with hard-hitting action sequences that keep viewers engaged until the very end. It also provides several intriguing plot twists along the way which help add complexity to the narrative arc. Charlie Sheen delivers an assured performance in his role as The Wraith, creating a character that is both mysterious yet sympathetic at the same time. A stellar supporting cast helps further flesh out this world, with actors such as Nick Cassavetes and Sherilyn Fenn lending strong supporting performances throughout the movie’s runtime.
The Wraith may not be for everyone due to its often violent nature; however, those willing to look beyond this element will find plenty of enjoyable moments throughout. Overall, it's an excellent entry into the sci-fi/fantasy genre which displays a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in films from this era. Those seeking something offbeat yet entertaining should certainly give The Wraith a chance - its combination of moody visuals and stellar performances make it well worth watching!
Happy watching!