Published: 18 Jun 2025
ICD9: 879.8 ICD10: T01.9 ICD11: ND31
"Wounds" is a 2019 psychological horror film written and directed by Babak Anvari.
It stars Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, Zazie Beetz, Karl Glusman, and Brad William Henke.
The film centers around a New Orleans bartender, Will (Armie Hammer), who finds a lost phone after a bar fight. The phone contains disturbing images and videos that begin to haunt him and his girlfriend, Carrie (Dakota Johnson). As they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the phone, their lives unravel and they are plagued by increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.
Key elements of the film and things people often discuss about it include: Psychological Horror: The film focuses more on the psychological impact of the unsettling content on the characters, rather than relying heavily on jump scares or gore.
Ambiguity: "Wounds" is known for its ambiguous and open-ended nature, leaving many questions unanswered and open to interpretation.
Themes: Common interpretations revolve around themes of addiction, toxic masculinity, trauma, guilt, and the dangers of online content.
Lovecraftian elements: Some viewers identify Lovecraftian elements in the film, particularly the sense of cosmic horror and the presence of an unknowable, malevolent force.
Critical Reception: The film received mixed reviews, with some praising its atmosphere and performances, while others found it confusing and unsatisfying due to its ambiguity.
In short, "Wounds" is a horror film about the psychological disintegration of a man and his girlfriend after he discovers a disturbing phone. It's a slow-burn, unsettling experience that explores dark themes and leaves much open to interpretation.