The Wraith

The Wraith

Year: 1986

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Mike Marvin

ActionSci-FiThrillerHorrorRomance

When a group of childhood friends returns to their hometown, they inadvertently awaken a dark and sinister force connected to a decades-old tragedy. As a night of terrifying revelations unfolds, they must confront a cursed history that has haunted them for years. The friends find themselves in a desperate fight for survival, facing a terrifying threat that will test the bonds of their friendship and leave some vulnerable to a deadly fate.

The Wraith (1986) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Wraith (1986) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the dusty outskirts of Brooks, Arizona, the quiet heat of the desert settles over a town that has long been forgotten by the world outside. When a handful of childhood friends converge on the place where they first learned to ride bikes and share secrets, the familiar landscape feels both comforting and unsettling. The town itself seems to hold its breath, a silent witness to stories that have been buried for decades, waiting for the right moment to stir.

Jake Kesey arrives first, his weathered exterior hinting at a past he rarely speaks about, while Keri Johnson carries the weight of memories she can’t fully recall, each glance toward the horizon reflecting a longing for resolution. Billy Hankins, still haunted by the loss of his brother, balances loyalty and a quiet determination to protect those still close to him. Together they form a fragile circle, each personality a thread in a tapestry woven from shared history, unspoken regrets, and the simple joy of reuniting after years apart. Beneath the surface, an uneasy tension lingers, suggesting that something far darker has lain dormant, tied to a tragedy that the town has kept locked away for generations.

As night descends, the friends find themselves drawn into a series of unsettling revelations that blur the line between memory and menace. The atmosphere shifts from nostalgic reunion to a gripping, almost claustrophobic sense of foreboding, as they realize the past may not be as distant as they believed. Their bond will be tested in ways they never imagined, pitting friendship against an unseen, lingering curse that threatens to upend everything they thought they left behind. The stage is set for a desperate struggle where trust, courage, and the echo of old promises become the only lights against the encroaching darkness.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:06

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Supernatural Vengeance Stories like The Wraith

Stories where spectral forces deliver justice for past wrongs.If you liked The Wraith's tale of a ghostly avenger, you'll find more movies like it here. This selection features similar stories where supernatural forces mete out justice, often set against a backdrop of high-stakes action and anchored by themes of unresolved love and grief.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically involves a tragic event from the past, often a murder, which is revealed as the story progresses. A supernatural avenger emerges, systematically targeting those responsible. The plot is driven by a series of confrontations, leading to a resolution that provides justice but often leaves a bittersweet feeling due to the permanent nature of the loss.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their shared focus on revenge enacted by a supernatural force. They combine a dark tone with fast-paced action or thriller elements, a straightforward narrative of retribution, and a core of emotional weight stemming from grief.

Action-Horror Movies with a Melancholic Heart like The Wraith

High-octane thrills driven by a core of sadness and unresolved emotion.For viewers who enjoyed the car chases and supernatural scares of The Wraith alongside its sad love story, this thread finds similar movies. These films balance high-intensity action or horror with a melancholic vibe, creating a unique and compelling emotional experience.

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Narrative Summary

These stories often follow a protagonist driven by a personal tragedy, using action or confrontation as a means to an end. The plot delivers thrilling set pieces, but the emotional journey is one of coping with loss. The ending frequently feels bittersweet, as the external conflict is resolved but the internal emotional wound remains.

Why These Movies?

This grouping is defined by a specific tonal mix: the adrenaline of action or horror is paired with a layer of sadness. They share a fast pace and high intensity but distinguish themselves with a medium to heavy emotional weight that gives the spectacle deeper meaning.

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The Wraith Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Wraith

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Wraith

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