The Wraith

The Wraith (1987)

  • 27% of critics liked it
    (11 reviews)

  • 60% of users liked it
    (8,741 ratings)

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 appearance around the same time, the members of Packard's gang begin to suffer from a number of… More

In Theaters
Nov 21, 1986 Wide
Lionsgate

Critic Reviews

  • , 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

    A big glop of low-budget Hollywood cheese, sliced from half a dozen other movies. Still, as a piece of '80s zeitgeist, it offers something of a glimpse into the national psyche of the time - not to mention the feather hairdos and jean jackets.

  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide

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

Read all 8 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

  • EightThirty .


    20/06/2012 (ONLINE PS3)

  • Jeff "


    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… More

  • AJ V


    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.

  • Steve K


    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.

  • Anthony V


    Being dead is just swell! You can come back, kill all your enemies and get the girl!

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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