Nerdly » HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘Wrath of Thorn’ Review

04th Mar2025

HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘Wrath of Thorn’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Stars: Sophie Ash, Eve Kathryn Oliver, Paris Rivers, Mia, Lewis Cooper, Gareth Tidball, William Marshall, Mariana Gkila, Melissa Hollett, Andrew Elias, Pauline Peart, Sophie Stroud, Adam Lezemore, Sean Botha, Maria Lee Metheringham, Jon-Paul Gates | Written and Directed by MJ Dixon

Wrath of Thorn is the latest, and reportedly last, instalment in the Mychoverse series that spun out of the original Slasher House movie – itself now a franchise. This time round Dixon delves much, much, deeper into the lore surrounding the slasher-movie-inspired killer known as Thorn – intertwining past and present, flitting between the three films in the series to shed light on Thorn’s origins while propelling the narrative into uncharted territories. This duality not only enriches the storyline but also offers a fresh perspective for those long-time fans who’ve been following the Thorn franchise since 2014.

One of the standout aspects of the film is its character development. The protagonist, Jessica Lawrence, portrayed with depth and authenticity by actress Sophie Ash, embarks on a harrowing journey that tests her resilience and courage. Her evolution from a vulnerable teenager to a formidable force against darkness is compelling. The supporting cast – including a returning Eve Kathryn Oliver as Bethany Lovell, Jessica’s mother; Paris Rivers as Eric Jones, who also appeared as the same character most recently in Slasher Hous3: Rebooted; as well as William Marshall and Melissa Hollett, who appeared in the previous film, the prequel Mask of Thorn – all deliver commendable performances, and best of all each character adds more layers to the already intricate story.

MJ Dixon directs Wrath of Thorn with aplomb, delivering plenty of atmospheric tension and keeping the pace brisk. The suspense is palpable, with each scene seemingly crafted to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, the cinematography captures the eerie essence of Avondale, transforming the town into a character in its own right. Marry that with the haunting score amplifying the horror elements, and you end up with a truly fantastic horror experience.

What sets Wrath of Thorn apart in the end though is its ability to balance horror with emotional depth. The film doesn’t rely solely on jump scares, foregoing the more slasher-based roots of the previous films; instead, it delves into themes of fear, loss, and the human spirit’s indomitable will to fight against insurmountable, supernatural, odds. This thematic richness elevates the movie beyond typical genre fare and beyond the films that have come before it.

My only issue is how convoluted the plot has got by this point – but I imagine watching the films in order, first Mask of Thorn, then Legacy of Thorn, then finally this film, would probably belie that issue. As it is I struggled to mentally keep track of what was going on at times, especially when I have more vivid memories of the prequel than the first film! That and the fact I couldn’t help but chuckle a little seeing Nerf guns painted up to be lethal weapons – a small niggle I know but one that, for me, took me out of the film a little.

Ultimately Wrath of Thorn is a testament to MJ Dixon as a filmmaker and storyteller. It captures the essence of what makes the Mychoverse and in particular the Thorn series so enthralling: blending horror, rich storytelling, and well-written character arcs… all on a micro-budget! For the die-hard fans out there this film is sure to be a satisfying end to the story of Bethany, Jessica and Beth but it does beg the question, where does the Mychoverse go from here?

For answers to that, make sure you stick around for the mid, and post, credits sequences because if THAT is what’s coming, hell, things are going to be wild!