The Wraith

Name: The Wraith
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Romance
Released: November 21, 1986
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 39
Cast: Charlie Sheen, Nick Cassavetes

1986

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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The Wraith

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Movie Details & Credits

New Century Vista Film Company | Release Date: November 21, 1986 | R

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Nick Cassavetes

Summary: A mysterious figure suddenly appears to challenge a gang of motorhead thugs.

Director: Mike Marvin

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

R.L. Shaffer

If you're a fan of revenge fantasies, The Wraith will likely whet your appetite even if it isn't the smartest or best film out there. Read full review

Noel Murray

The Wraith’s plot is predictable and its genre nods skimpy (primarily limited to The Mystery Racer’s ability to resurrect himself after crashes), but Marvin directs with real energy and wit. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Mr. Cassavetes is effectively black-hearted, and makes a striking figure, and Randy Quaid does a lot with the underdeveloped role of a local sheriff. Mr. Marvin directs at a brisk pace, but his screenplay, though lively, seems to be written in an alien language. Read full review

Paul Attanasio

The Wraith is essentially a wall-to-wall car chase that writer/director Mike Marvin attempts to enliven with TV commercial visuals, tough-guy dialogue and modestly inventive casting. Read full review

John Fitzgerald

The Wraith reveals itself as little more than formula teen-audience lure. Of some merit to the whole enterprise are two things: the lovingly photographed desert scenery and the hip and lively music score that drowns out most of the turgid dialogue. As far as the acting goes, it's a pity there are no blinds on the screen. [25 Nov 1986, p.D7]

Michael Wilmington

The movie has an absurd script, fueled by that current B-movie staple, the idiot plot--a plot that proceeds only because all, or most, of the characters, act like idiots. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Director-writer Mike Marvin is obviously working out of his element, which consists of ski films and features with titles of things you eat or drink (Six Pack; Hot Dog--The Movie; and Hamburger). The best thing here are the cars, which have no dialog and just stand around looking fast. Sheen's is a specially built Dodge pace car that cost over $1.5 million. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheQuietGamer

Oct 9, 2017

Pure 80's cheese and fun. Pretty much a piss-poor horror film, but still a satisfying revenge flick with cool cars, despicable villains, and plenty of babes. The Wraith takes us back to a time when Charlie Sheen was young and at the top of his game, love was free, and imagination was king.Pure 80's cheese and fun. Pretty much a piss-poor horror film, but still a satisfying revenge flick with cool cars, despicable villains, and plenty of babes. The Wraith takes us back to a time when Charlie Sheen was young and at the top of his game, love was free, and imagination was king. You didn't smart writing or even a big budget to show people a good time at the movies. You just needed style and a sense of cool. Some nudity didn't hurt either, and director Mike Marvin crafted some of the 80's most memorable scenes in that department. It was the 80's, man. The Wraith was fun back then and it's still fun now even if it might require you to turn off some parts of your brain here and there.

8.7/10… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

CharleyNewman

Jun 12, 2018

A very terrible 80's movie. If you have questions while watching this movie, and you will; prepare to have none of them answered. Despite the nonsensical nature of the plot, the "twist," if it can even be called such, or was even intended as such, can be seen coming a mile away. Is thisA very terrible 80's movie. If you have questions while watching this movie, and you will; prepare to have none of them answered. Despite the nonsensical nature of the plot, the "twist," if it can even be called such, or was even intended as such, can be seen coming a mile away. Is this movie science-fiction or mystical? I don't know, and neither do the people who made it. It's a movie where no one acts like a human being has ever acted. Most of the characters that the film focuses on seem to be genuinely sociopathic and/or mentally challenged. And they speak like only a terrible screenwriter can imagine people speak. The movie only has about three locations. And it has about four actual race scenes, none of which are justified in any real way. Which might be somewhat forgivable if they were any good. Which they are not. The first one is the most unique, but is incomprehensible due to it taking place at night. The final three are also incomprehensible in their own way, and are exceedingly repetitive; where two cars race down an empty street (except for the final race), on a barren road in the desert, while very far behind them they are being pursued by approximately two police cars. The race scenes consist of very poorly edited together sequences of repetitious back and forth lead taking and lead losing. Before inevitably every race ends in the exact same predictable way. Certain elements are introduced in the film and were either forgotten about or never thought about until the film was almost over, either that or the plot elements are just incredibly incompetently handled. While many elements that were introduced remain unexplained entirely, such as the, how of the Wraith, and the glowing, vanishing (and reappearing) braces. Ultimately, the movie barely manages to be mildly entertaining, but at least it's short, at only approx. 90 min. I'd probably recommend wasting you're time on something else. Even limiting yourself to the realm of Charlie Sheen movies, there are many better options out there. As he remains quite underutilized in this film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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