Director – Tory Jones (Killbillies, Angel)
Starring – Richard Leo Hunt (Remnant 13, Summer of ’67), Katie Stewart (The Wicked One, Hell-ephone), and Dale Miller (Mountain Mafia, Hatfields and McCoys: Bad Blood)
Release Date – 2020
Rating – 3.5/5
The Wicked One was a solid slasher that had some rough edges that stopped it from becoming a memorable horror film. It was a fun watch but I don’t see myself revisiting it any time soon. I had been sitting on the blu release of this one for several years but decided now was the perfect time to give it a spin after director Tory Jones and producer Chris Gierowski asked me to review the sequel. I’m glad I finally tossed it in because the follow up was a much better film that the first one. Thanks guys for allowing me the opportunity to review this sequel.
**spoiler Alert** The film follows the Lawson’s, two of the survivors of the first film, who now have kids of their own. They make a trip to their hometown where the original film was because their son has a gig their. He is in a rock band and they were booked at a club there. A simple trip for a rock show turns deadly when the Wicked One, along with the insane Mathis siblings, break out of the insane asylum and return home once again. **Spoiler Alert**
Wicked Ones does not fall into the cliched slasher storyline like it’s predecessor. The movie does take what was built in the first film but expands it into something that is slasher inspired but not another slasher cliché. I love slashers, I honestly do, but the first film is painfully cliched and forgettable. However, Wicked Ones is anything but forgettable. Jones and company really learned a lot from previous projects and created a fun and highly entertaining horror film.
The acting in this one is leagues above the previous film. The entire cast, Roman Jossart included, does a fantastic job in their roles. Katie Stewart and Dale Miller really find their footing here with their characters. Their personalities are vastly improved and these two characters are likable this go around. Honestly, I was looking forward to their death in the first film but this time I was wanting them to survive. Also, Jason Crowe and Roni Jonah steal the show as the Mathis siblings. These two characters brought some laughs, as well as, some amazing characters to the film. I really enjoyed their performances and it would be a crime if we don’t get a film following these two psychos.
The story for this one is like I said earlier. It takes the story created in the first one and expands it some. It doesn’t fit into the slasher sub-genre but does work. The slasher elements mixes well with the few scenes of torture and improved characters to create a movie that will hold your attention from beginning to end. It does slow down in the middle but not enough to take away from the entire movie.
Finally, this one also improves on the deaths from the first. The kills this time are more enjoyable with more blood and light gore. The practical effects are great and really push the scenes over the edge. Overall, Wicked Ones is one of the few times where the sequel is better than the original. The acting, story, and delivery is all better than the first and the introduction of the Mathis siblings really gives Jones something to consider with a prequel or spinoff. This is one I would recommend
