Alright, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to a time when revenge wasn’t just served cold, it was delivered at Mach speed by a spectral driver in one of the coolest cars to ever grace the silver screen. Slide that worn cassette into the VCR, ignore the slightly fuzzy tracking lines, and prepare for the glorious, high-octane supernatural weirdness of The Wraith (1986). This one felt like a secret discovery back in the video store aisles, nestled between the bigger blockbusters – a gleaming black slice of pure 80s awesome.
I distinctly remember the feeling of finding this gem, probably tucked away in the Sci-Fi/Action section. The cover art alone – that futuristic black car against a desolate landscape – promised something wild, and boy, did it deliver, albeit in its own uniquely bizarre way. Forget complex plotting; this is pure elemental storytelling cranked up with synthesizers and roaring engines.
Desert Highways and Street Punk Nightmares
Our setting is a sun-baked Arizona town seemingly held hostage by Packard Walsh (Nick Cassavetes, channeling pure unadulterated 80s psycho-bully) and his gang of disposable car thieves. They force unwilling locals into deadly street races, terrorizing everyone, especially the lovely Keri Johnson (Sherilyn Fenn, radiating star power even before Twin Peaks). Keri is haunted by the murder of her previous boyfriend, Jamie, a crime everyone suspects Packard committed but can't prove. Then, like a heat mirage shimmering into reality, a mysterious new kid, Jake Kesey (Charlie Sheen), arrives, alongside an even more mysterious black car: the Turbo Interceptor.
This isn't just any car. It’s an avenging angel made of steel and otherworldly energy. Soon, Packard's goons start meeting fiery ends during explosive races against this automotive phantom, reappearing mysteriously unharmed itself after each encounter. Could Jake, who bears a strange resemblance to the departed Jamie and quickly catches Keri's eye, be connected to this vehicular vigilante? Well, duh. But the joy isn’t in the mystery; it’s in the execution.
That Car! Oh, That Beautiful Car!
Let's be honest, the real star here is the Turbo Interceptor. It wasn't some Hollywood fantasy mock-up; it was based on a genuine concept car, the Dodge M4S prototype, developed by Chrysler and PPG Industries. Only a handful were ever made (sources vary, maybe four functional ones plus stunt shells), costing a reported $1.5 million back then – a hefty sum! Its futuristic lines and menacing presence absolutely made the film. Seeing that thing materialize on a lonely highway, engine whining like a distressed banshee, was pure cinematic magic on a tube TV. Remember how sleek and impossible it looked? Its ability to dematerialize and repair itself added that perfect layer of sci-fi cool to the revenge plot.
When Stunts Felt Dangerously Real
And the action? Forget glossy CGI. The Wraith hails from the golden age of practical effects and balls-to-the-wall stunt work. Those car chases feel raw and kinetic. When cars flip, explode, or crash into buildings, you're seeing real metal twist and real fire erupt. The races against the Wraith, ending with the gang members' cars disintegrating in spectacular fireballs, felt incredibly visceral at the time. There's a weight and impact to these scenes that modern digital effects often struggle to replicate. Of course, this dedication to practical stunts came with significant risks. Tragically, assistant cameraman Bruce Ingram lost his life during filming when an overloaded camera car overturned during a chase sequence – a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by film crews in that era to bring us these thrilling moments.
A Cast of Cult Favorites
While the car steals the show, the cast adds to the film’s unique flavour. Charlie Sheen, fresh off Platoon (1986) but filmed before it, brings an appropriately detached, almost ethereal quality to Jake/The Wraith. It's a bit of trivia gold that Sheen himself was only on set for about 14 days; much of the helmeted Wraith figure was a stunt performer. Nick Cassavetes (yes, son of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, and future director of films like The Notebook) is deliciously over-the-top as Packard. Sherilyn Fenn provides the emotional anchor, and the supporting cast is packed with familiar faces, including the always-welcome Clint Howard as the gang's resident tech-nerd Rughead and Randy Quaid as the bewildered Sheriff Loomis, trying to make sense of the supernatural carnage.
80s Aesthetic Overload (In a Good Way)
Directed and written by Mike Marvin, whose background was largely in ski films, The Wraith doesn't aim for subtlety. It's a glorious mashup: part ghost story, part sci-fi actioner, part teen romance, part Mad Max-lite road rage fantasy. Does it all mesh perfectly? Not always. Some dialogue is pure 80s cheese, and the plot logic occasionally takes a backseat to cool visuals. But its earnestness is infectious. Adding rocket fuel to the proceedings is a killer soundtrack pulsing with 80s rock anthems from icons like Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Robert Palmer, and Billy Idol. That music wasn't just background noise; it was the film's heartbeat.
The Wraith wasn't exactly a box office juggernaut upon release (grossing around $3.5 million), and critics were often unkind. But like so many films of its ilk, it found its true audience on home video. It became a staple of VHS rental stores and late-night cable TV, earning a devoted cult following that appreciates its unique blend of cool car action, supernatural revenge, and undeniable 80s atmosphere. It’s the kind of movie tailor-made for rediscovery, a perfect slice of nostalgia that still packs a surprising punch.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
The rating reflects its status as a supremely entertaining, if slightly flawed, cult classic. It’s hampered by a somewhat simplistic plot and occasional 80s excesses, but buoyed by its iconic car, thrilling practical stunts, memorable villain, killer soundtrack, and sheer earnest conviction. It fully earns its 7 points through sheer nostalgic power and automotive cool.
Final Take: For pure, unadulterated 80s vehicular vengeance fueled by supernatural justice and practical stunt mayhem, The Wraith remains an essential spin. It’s a movie that feels like a well-loved VHS tape – maybe a little rough around the edges, but packed with heart, speed, and otherworldly cool. Fire it up and let the Turbo Interceptor ride again.