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Ending Explained

The Wretched (2020) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 95 min · English
Echo score 60
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Directed by
Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Starring
Piper Curda, Azie Tesfai, Blane Crockarell, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Jamison Jones, John-Paul Howard
Budget
$5K

During a summer spent with his estranged father at a coastal marina, a troubled teenager named Ben finds himself facing more than just awkward family dynamics. He soon suspects a sinister force is targeting the local children, and as he investigates, he uncovers a malevolent presence lurking in the nearby woods. Dismissed and disbelieved, Ben must confront his own inner demons while desperately trying to protect the community and stop the terrifying entity before it claims another victim.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens at the end
  3. 3 Final events in order
  4. 4 Ending questions answered
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like The Wretched
  7. 7 Every angle
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Ending explained · contains spoilers

What Happens at the End of The Wretched?

How The Wretched (2020) ends, what the final scene means, which earlier moments set it up and how to read the ending if the film leaves it open. The full ending explained, with every spoiler.

In the end, it appears that the Hag has successfully possessed Mallory, continuing her destructive cycle. Throughout the film, her powers—such as possession, controlling minds, inducing amnesia, and turning into shadows—are shown but never fully explained, creating a confusing picture of her supernatural abilities. Despite her limited onscreen explanations, the audience sees her targeting and killing families, using her magic to inhabit various forms, and making victims forget their encounters with her. In the climax, Ben manages to save Mallory's sister and his brother from her grip, and he finally shares a romantic moment with Mallory, believing they can start anew. However, his hope is short-lived when he notices that the flower Mallory gave him is plastic, a clear reminder of her connection to the Hag's deadly powers, especially since the Hag seems to kill flowers. The final scene shows Mallory, now seemingly friendly at first, taking children out on the water, but her mischievous grin shifts into an evil smile, hinting that the evil has not been truly defeated. This suggests that the Hag has taken over her, or at least that her influence persists, leaving the story open-ended and unsettling. The film implies that the Hag’s possession is insidious and ongoing, with her powers remaining mysterious but deadly, and that she will continue her malevolent influence through Mallory, further cementing her status as a horror villain whose true nature and origins are left largely unexplained.

Last updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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The last 4 events

How The Wretched Ends: The Final Events in Order

The last events of The Wretched (2020) in chronological order, the run-up to the ending explained above. The complete timeline has all 15 events, scene by scene.

Open the full timeline
  1. Possession and Chaos

    Alone with Sara, Ben witnesses the telltale signs of possession. In a desperate effort to free her, he injures her, but the sorceress twists the scene to frame Ben as the villain, leading to his arrest.

    Where
    Liam's Home
  2. The Escape

    With the help of a heroic dog, Ben manages to escape from custody just as the chaos envelops him. Meanwhile, Liam discovers the horrifying remnants left by the sorceress, leading to stomach-churning revelations.

    Where
    Abbie's Home
  3. Confrontation with the Sorceress

    In a climactic showdown, Ben confronts the witch as time runs out to save his siblings. He witnesses the witch consuming Dillon's lifeless form, intensifying the urgency of his quest.

    Where
    Witch's Lair
  4. Ending with Unease

    After fighting against all odds, Ben, Nathan, and their mother share emotional farewells. However, as Ben catches sight of the flower in his hair, he realizes the witch has returned, now possessing Mallory, leaving an unsettling future ahead.

    Where
    Outside Liam's Home

Ending questions answered

The Wretched Ending: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about the ending of The Wretched (2020): what the final scene means, how the twist works, what happens to each character and how to read the ending. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What happens to Mallory at the end of The Wretched?

At the end, the Hag successfully possesses Mallory. After Ben saves Mallory's sister and his brother from the Hag's grip, he shares a tender moment with Mallory believing they can start fresh. However, the final scene reveals Mallory taking children out on the water with an evil grin, confirming the Hag has taken control of her body.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show the Hag targeting children and using possession to continue her cycle of violence.

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Q2

What does the plastic flower mean in The Wretched?

The plastic flower serves as the key visual clue that Mallory is still connected to the Hag. Ben notices the flower Mallory gave him is artificial, which reminds viewers that the Hag has a history of killing real flowers. This subtle detail signals to both Ben and the audience that the Hag's influence persists despite the apparent victory.

Foreshadowing: The Hag's powers include killing natural things, which is established when she murders families in the woods.

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  • the wretched解析
Q3

Does Ben defeat the Hag in The Wretched?

Ben does not truly defeat the Hag. While he manages to save Mallory's sister and his brother from immediate danger, the Hag survives by possessing Mallory. The final scene makes clear that the evil has simply transferred to a new host, leaving the threat unresolved and the story open-ended.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, the Hag demonstrates resilience by targeting and killing families while remaining undefeated.

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  • 结局解析
Q4

Why does Mallory take children on the boat at the end of The Wretched?

Mallory taking children out on the water is the visual confirmation of the Hag's possession. The Hag's pattern throughout the film involves targeting children, and the boat scene mirrors her previous victims. Her evil smile reveals that she is now the Hag's vessel, continuing the cycle of child abduction and murder.

Foreshadowing: The Hag is established as a child predator who targets families living near the marina.

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Q5

What is the twist ending of The Wretched?

The twist ending reveals that despite Ben's apparent victory, the Hag has possessed Mallory. The romantic moment between Ben and Mallory is undermined when the camera cuts to her taking children out on the water with a sinister smile. This subverts the expected happy ending and confirms the Hag's victory.

Foreshadowing: The Hag's ability to inhabit various forms and control victims is established early in the film.

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  • 惊悚片结局
Q6

How does the Hag's possession power work in The Wretched?

The Hag possesses various supernatural abilities including possession, mind control, inducing amnesia, and transforming into shadows. Her possession allows her to inhabit different bodies, as shown when she takes control of Mallory. The film never fully explains the mechanics of her powers, leaving her true nature and origins mysterious.

Foreshadowing: The Hag demonstrates different abilities throughout the film, from possessing bodies to manipulating memory.

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  • 女巫能力
Q7

What happens to Ben in The Wretched ending?

Ben survives the final confrontation and shares a romantic moment with Mallory after rescuing his brother and Mallory's sister. However, his hope is crushed when he realizes the plastic flower signifies the Hag's lingering influence. The film ends with him presumably alive but the situation left unresolved.

Foreshadowing: Ben's investigation throughout the film builds to this final confrontation where he must save his family.

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  • 主角结局
Q8

What are the Hag's origins in The Wretched?

The Hag's origins and true nature are never explained in the film. She is portrayed as an ancient malevolent entity who has been targeting families for generations. Her powers remain mysterious, and the film deliberately leaves her background unclear, enhancing the horror element.

Foreshadowing: The locals' fear and the isolated setting suggest a long history of the Hag's evil presence.

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  • witch backstory
  • 怪物起源
Q9

What does the ambiguous ending of The Wretched mean?

The ambiguous ending suggests that evil cannot be easily destroyed and often persists through new hosts. Despite Ben's efforts, the Hag continues her cycle of violence through Mallory. The open-ended conclusion leaves room for potential sequels while delivering a chilling message about the insidious nature of evil.

Foreshadowing: The Hag's pattern of possessing victims and targeting children establishes her as an unstoppable force.

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  • 结局含义
Q10

Is Mallory evil or possessed at the end of The Wretched?

Mallory appears to be possessed by the Hag rather than acting out of her own evil will. The Hag's possession is described as insidious and ongoing. Her final smile shifts from friendly to evil, suggesting the Hag's control over her body, though whether Mallory's consciousness remains trapped inside is left unclear.

Foreshadowing: The Hag's ability to control minds and induce amnesia is established earlier in the film.

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Movie threads

More Movies Like The Wretched, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Wretched tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Small town supernatural horror movies like The Wretched

Malevolent forces prey on a seemingly peaceful community, forcing unlikely heroes to act. Explore movies like The Wretched where a quiet, close-knit community is invaded by a malevolent supernatural force. These films blend unsettling dread with the struggle of everyday people facing an ancient evil, creating a potent mix of folk horror and suspense. If you liked the feeling of a hidden witch terrorizing a coastal town, you'll find similar chills here.

  • sinister
  • dread-filled
  • paranoid
  • claustrophobic
  • folk horror
  • uncovering secrets
  • Tone: dark, sinister
  • Pacing: variable, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with a disruption to the community's normalcy, often through an outsider or a returning resident who senses something is wrong. The narrative follows an investigation that reveals a dark history or a cursed entity tied to the location. The climax involves a desperate confrontation where the characters use uncovered folklore or weaknesses to fight back, though victory is often costly.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that share a specific setting-driven horror premise. The shared elements include the juxtaposition of idyllic, familiar settings with grotesque, ancient evil, the theme of community secrets, and the tension that arises from being disbelieved while facing a tangible, supernatural threat.

Horror movies with disbelieved protagonists like The Wretched

A single person sees the danger, but no one will listen as the threat grows. Discover horror films similar to The Wretched, where the main character is the only one who recognizes a grave threat and must fight it alone. These movies capture the intense anxiety of being disbelieved and the desperation of trying to protect others while facing a terrifying entity. If you enjoyed Ben's solitary battle against the witch, you'll appreciate these tense narratives.

  • anxious
  • oppressive
  • frustrating
  • isolating
  • paranoid
  • desperate
  • Tone: anxious, oppressive
  • Pacing: variable, building dread
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a character's gradual discovery of a hidden danger, which is initially met with rational explanations or outright mockery. As evidence mounts, the protagonist's isolation increases, straining their relationships and mental state. The story builds towards a climax where they must ultimately prove the threat's existence through direct, often traumatic, confrontation, validating their fears at a great personal cost.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on the powerful and specific emotional arc of the 'lone believer'. This thread focuses on the shared feelings of paranoia, vindication, and the intense pressure of carrying a terrible secret alone, which creates a uniquely stressful and engaging viewer experience.

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Movies Like The Wretched

Similar movies to The Wretched: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Wretched (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Wretched in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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