"The Wraith": What "Fast & Furious" Would Have Looked Like if Made in the '80s with Charlie Sheen in the Lead Role

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On September 3rd, Charlie Sheen turned 60, and it's the perfect time to revisit the film that's still called "Fast & Furious on steroids from the '80s." We're talking about The Wraith (1986) — a blend of action, mysticism, and car racing where a young Sheen played one of the most enigmatic characters of his career.

What the Movie's About

A small Arizona town gets terrorized by a street racing gang led by charismatic psychopath Packard (Nick Cassavetes). They force random drivers into deadly races, and losers get their cars stripped away.
The Wraith movie trailer
Everything changes when mysterious guy Jake ( ) rolls into town, along with a black "turbo interceptor" – a futuristic Dodge M4S. A driver in black suit and helmet starts methodically taking out gang members. Could Jake and this mysterious avenger be the same person?

Viewing Experience

You can't watch this movie without thinking about the era. It's pure '80s essence: neon landscapes, rock hits from Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol, and the classic "hero with a ride" who comes back from the dead to dish out justice.

And while Sheen doesn't appear that often (most of his screen time has him hidden under a helmet), the actor's presence alone gives the film cult status.
Actor Charlie Sheen in a red jacket standing on the road with a girl and two men
Charlie Sheen (second from left) on The Wraith movie poster
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A plot that echoes "The Crow" and Stephen King's "Christine," special effects that look quaint by today's standards, and garage-level explosions – all this makes The Wraith a movie you're embarrassed to love but can't look away from.

Critics and Audience Reaction

Critics weren't kind: Rotten Tomatoes gives it just 33% "fresh," and IMDb rates it 5.9/10. But audiences tell a completely different story.

In reviews, The Wraith gets called "the perfect movie for pizza night with friends." Many compare it to Fast & Furious: "Amazing how this film already had street racing, iconic cars, and family drama – 15 years before Dominic Toretto showed up."
I'm almost ready to believe that the writers of the original Fast & Furious took The Wraith as their foundation. Could this really have been the inspiration?
IMDb user paulclaassen
One fan writes: "My brothers and I rewatched this over and over on HBO. The soundtrack was killer, the characters were cartoonish, but that just added to the charm. It's a movie you can't forget."
A man in a black suit and helmet standing on the road next to a black car
Scenes from The Wraith
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Others note that The Wraith was Sheen's first major role and opened the door to Oliver Stone's "Platoon," which came out the same year.

Why You Should Watch

The Wraith is one of those cases where imperfection becomes a strength. Sure, the plot's predictable, the effects are dated, and the dialogue can make you laugh out loud. But that's exactly its magic. It's a nostalgic trip back to the '80s, where cars explode on first impact and every soundtrack song could be a potential hit.

If Fast & Furious had been made in the '80s, it probably would've looked exactly like this. Only instead of Vin Diesel behind the wheel, you'd have Charlie Sheen. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered "Johnny Mnemonic": the film where Keanu Reeves played Neo before "The Matrix."