The Wretched (2019) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
The Wretched (2019) ends with protagonist Ben seemingly defeating the witch by burning her tree, only for the audience to realize the witch has won. She replaces Ben's mother, erasing everyone's memory of him, leaving him trapped in a tree as her next victim. The cycle continues as a new family moves into the house, setting up the witch's next hunt. The ending is a bleak twist that subverts expectations, revealing the witch's true power over memory and identity.
Detailed Ending Explanation
The climax of The Wretched sees Ben, a troubled teen staying with his father for the summer, uncovering the terrifying truth about his neighbor Abbie-she's a centuries-old witch who steals children by impersonating their mothers. After witnessing her gruesome rituals and realizing she's taken over his own mother's body, Ben teams up with his friend Mallory to stop her. The witch's power stems from an ancient tree that serves as her anchor to the world. In a desperate final act, Ben sets the tree on fire, seemingly killing the witch and freeing his possessed mother.
However, the film's true horror lies in its twist ending. After the fire, Ben wakes up in the hospital, where his parents act normally-but something feels off. His mother's behavior is subtly wrong, and his father seems to have no memory of the witch. The disturbing truth is revealed when Ben finds a locket in his mother's drawer containing a strand of his hair, confirming she's still the witch in disguise. Worse, his father doesn't even recognize him, suggesting the witch has erased Ben from their memories. The final shot shows Ben imprisoned inside the regenerated witch's tree, screaming silently as another family moves into the house next door, setting up the next cycle of horror.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
How does the witch's memory-erasure power work?
- Possibility: She can selectively erase or alter memories of those she's close to, making her victims "unpersons."
- Possibility: The tree's magic warps reality around her, rewriting history to fit her narrative.
Why didn't the fire permanently kill the witch?
- Possibility: The tree is a supernatural entity that can regenerate if not completely destroyed.
- Possibility: The witch's spirit survives as long as someone believes in her, allowing her to return.
What happened to the real Mrs. Whitlam (Ben's mom)?
- Possibility: She was consumed by the witch, her body fully taken over.
- Possibility: She's still alive but trapped in the tree, like past victims.
Will the new family next door suffer the same fate?
- Possibility: Yes, the witch's cycle is endless without outside intervention.
- Possibility: Ben's fate may serve as a warning if anyone finds his remains in the tree.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Wretched delivers a chilling conclusion that lingers long after the credits roll. The twist ending is effective because it plays on primal fears-losing one's identity, being forgotten, and the helplessness of fighting an ancient evil that can't truly be destroyed. The film's slow-burn tension pays off with a finale that feels both inevitable and horrifying. While some may find the witch's powers inconsistent (why doesn't she just kill Ben immediately?), the ambiguity adds to the folklore-like terror. The movie excels in atmosphere and dread, though character development could have been stronger. Overall, it's a solid folk horror entry with a memorably bleak ending.
Final Thoughts
The ending of The Wretched cements its status as a modern horror gem by subverting the typical "hero defeats the monster" trope. Instead, Ben's defeat is absolute-he's not just killed but erased, his existence nullified by the witch's magic. The cyclical nature of the curse suggests that evil is inescapable, a theme common in folk horror. The film leaves just enough unanswered to fuel speculation while delivering a satisfying, spine-tingling conclusion. If you enjoy horror that prioritizes atmosphere and psychological terror over jump scares, The Wretched is a must-watch-just don't expect a happy ending.