The supernatural shocker expanded to 45 drive-ins this weekend.
1 film in America forthree weeks.
“We were a little movie from Michigan.
Credit: IFC Midnight
Most people are going to see it when we land on a streaming service at some point.
Were going to be aJeopardyquestion one day, because were going to be the lowest-grossing most successful film.”
The success ofThe Wretchedis not simply down to lack of competition.
IFC
“IFC were planning a release probably in fifteen theaters and then COVID hit,” says Brett.
“The release date was set and it wasn’t going to change,” says Drew.
We were disappointed at first but completely understood because of the pandemic."
IFC Midnight
“[Then] they mentioned drive-ins,” says Brett.
“And then a couple more days would go by and, ‘Oh, theres a couple more.’
They eventually opened it up on twelve, I think.
We were like, thats probably the best were ever going to do.
And then each week they kept on adding more drive-ins and the movie kept getting more people there.”
As of last Thursday, the film had grossed just over $350,000 at the box office.
“It would be considered low budget,” says Brett.
“I dont use that term because it automatically makes people think theres something wrong with it.
[The budget was] not a lot.
“Ive seen it it sounds terrible Ive seen it three times,” says Brett with a laugh.
“I actually went last night!”
“That was super surreal,” says Drew of watching the film under the stars.
But it was a really good feeling.
The funniest part is though, most drive-ins, the sound plays through your FM radio.
I was like, ‘Yeah, sorry man.
But its so cool!’
Brett admits that he is reluctant to overly celebrate the film’s success given the current circumstances.
“Its a weird thing for Drew and I,” he says.
But then you tell yourself [it’s] a safe escapism.
Were a little bit relieved when things arent not so nice.”
“I was 2 years old and Drew was a newborn, essentially,” says Brett.
I was just so curious about what Dad had been doing.
I was completely destroyed.
I didnt want to go into that basement my whole life.
After moving to Los Angeles, the pair made 2011’sDeadheads, a zombie-comedy.
“We went totally broke making that movie,” says Brett.
The pair hit on the idea of combining the witch subgenre with the creature feature.
“Then we found another cool myth called the Boo Hag, this Appalachian myth about this skin-stealing creature-witch.
“Michigan was a huge advantage for us,” says Drew.
“All our friends are there, all our resources are there.
We shot the movie in the area that we used to go camping when we were kids.
“Our mom is addicted to Box Office Mojo, which is funny,” says Brett.
“She calls us every couple of days with updates.”
The brothers hope to remain in the horror genre for their next film.
“Weve always had the burning want to do the same thing for the werewolf.
That’s the werewolf story over and over again.
But we have kind of a real world take that were really really excited about.”
Hopefully, by the time that gets released, we’ll be able to see it inside.
“Just for the sake of our sound-mixer alone!”
