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Charlie Sheen, Nick Cassavetes, Randy Quaid, Sherilyn Fenn, Griffin O'Neal ... see more see more... , Clint Howard , David Sherrill , Jamie Bozian , Matthew Barry , Chris Nash , Vickie Benson , Elizabeth Cox , Peder Melhuse , Christopher Bradley , Steven Eckholdt , Michael Hungerford , H. Joan Reynolds , Jeffrey Sudzin , Richard Alexander

After a boy is killed at the hands of the drag-racing gang led by Packard Walsh (Nick Cassavetes), the mysterious Jake Kesey (Charlie Sheen) shows up in town. When a strange black car makes an appeara... read more read more...nce around the same time, the members of Packard's gang begin to suffer from a number of unfortunate "accidents." ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

8,498 ratings

Critics

30% liked it

10 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Mike Marvin

Release Date: November 21, 1986

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DVD Release Date: November 26, 2002

Stats: 549 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (549)


  • September 18, 2011
    The Wraith is a supernatural action horror film that is surprisingly good. The film has gotten many bad reviews, and is considered pretty bad. But The Wraith is actually enjoyable entertainment. A group of thugs murder a kid, and suddenly a new guy shows up in town. A short while... read more after, a mysterious car appears and hunts down the gang members. The plot is simple, yet effective. The film blends elements of action and horror perfectly. There are some eerie parts in the film, nothing ever really scary, but a tad uncomforting. This is an entertaining film that is quite underrated and it doesn't deserve the flack it has received. Sure the film is pretty silly, but it has enough good elements to make it an enjoyable film. The fact that the director is able to combine action and supernatural horror into one film makes it watchable. The film isn't perfect, but it definitely is a film worth watching if you enjoy awesome car chases, horror and vengeance spirits returning to settle a few old scores. The films' acting is questionable, but this is a B movie, so what do you expect? The Wraith may not be the best supernatural horror flick around, but the fact that it combines action elements makes this an interesting film to watch. Add to that, a pretty good hard rock, pop and heavy metal soundtrack; and you have an entertaining film. A good addition to the supernatural horror genre.
  • January 23, 2011
    This movie may make you think of Christine or The Car, but it's different from those movies, really. It's an awesome mysterious car thriller/horror movie with a good cast, and I loved it.
  • August 30, 2007
    This movie was kick but material back in the day ^_^
  • September 24, 2006
    I went to see this because it was advertised on Headbanger's Ball. It's a silly film. The car, however, is undeinably cool. And Sherilyn Fenn is undeniably hot.
  • December 18, 2010
    Being dead is just swell! You can come back, kill all your enemies and get the girl!
  • September 6, 2007
    This is just one of those films thats so bad that its good!A proper 80's thriller,its got Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue on the soundtrack, its got Sherilyn Fenn looking fit and its got Charlie Sheen being cheesey.Good Stuff!
  • fb555928095
    March 31, 2012
    fb555928095
    A completely stupid but enjoyable piece of 80s action/horror cinema that features a premise that could have only made sense in the 80s....
  • May 30, 2011
    I wish I could get my hands on one of the Wraith vehicles...I know they are specialized hondas with high compression engines...
  • March 18, 2011
    Charlie sheen was a superb actor and the action is unbelievable plus the the ladies in the Movie were sexy
  • December 5, 2009
    I have a love of all things drag racing movies (which crosses over into regular car race movies as well as biker movies) and this is top notch car porn for anyone who likes fast cars and fast guys.

    Deliciously cheesy in all it's 80's drag racing glory this is a film every bit wo... read morerthy of its cult status. Nick Cassevetes in particular is steller as the uber crazy and evil car gang leader who rules this small town and stretch of highway like a crime lord. Charlie Sheen's okay and Sherilyn Fenn does her job at being hot quite admirably. The plots a little holey if you think about it too much, but why are you doing that when there are awesome cars racing each other?

Critic Reviews


Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

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. Full Review

Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

There is all too little of the quietly charismatic Sheen and all too much of Cassavetes, who is a dead ringer for the young Hugh Hefner. Full Review

May 6, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A ridiculous mishmash of drag racing, ghosts, and science fiction. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

The town (comprising one house, a burger joint and no citizen who isn't a teenager or a cop) is overseen by Sheriff Randy Quaid, who displays all the reverence the script deserves. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 11, 2005
Clint Morris, Film Threat

An imaginative, thrilling piece

Jon Niccum
August 8, 2003
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

This movie makes no sense.

Chuck Rudolph
July 25, 2002
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

An enjoyably trashy sci-fi/car racing action movie.

Emanuel Levy
August 21, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Nicolas Lacroix
January 5, 2004
Nicolas Lacroix, EnPrimeur.ca

No review available.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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