What You Wish For
- 2023
- 1h 41m
A down-on-his-luck chef with gambling problems flees to a Latin American villa, where he assumes the identity of another man.A down-on-his-luck chef with gambling problems flees to a Latin American villa, where he assumes the identity of another man.A down-on-his-luck chef with gambling problems flees to a Latin American villa, where he assumes the identity of another man.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 2 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
If I were you, I would give it a go and not even read the plot because for me, it's what made me kept watching (I get easily bored) I'm going to be honest that I've read some of the reviews on here and the "bad reviews" were pretty silly.
Some say it should have been labeled a horror; some say the acting was subpar and some say it was disgusting etc. They all sound like Karens. First off, the acting is GOOD, and you wouldn't even notice it because this movie is obviously not aiming for some acting awards really. But maybe if your purpose to watch a movie is to look for flaws from the get-go?
However, it does have some plot holes and improbabilities/unusual coincidences, but it's overshadowed by how effective it is to keep the viewer engaged as the story unfolds and that in itself, I find it a pretty worthy watch!
Some say it should have been labeled a horror; some say the acting was subpar and some say it was disgusting etc. They all sound like Karens. First off, the acting is GOOD, and you wouldn't even notice it because this movie is obviously not aiming for some acting awards really. But maybe if your purpose to watch a movie is to look for flaws from the get-go?
However, it does have some plot holes and improbabilities/unusual coincidences, but it's overshadowed by how effective it is to keep the viewer engaged as the story unfolds and that in itself, I find it a pretty worthy watch!
I was sucked into this film by the preview ('trailer' as the US calls it). It hooked me.
But, previews are easy to make, and often - far, far too often, these days - make the usual junk look good.
To my amazement, this isn't junk. What You Wish For is a competently written, well organised, pacey little thriller.
Actually, the start seems a little slow, but there's a reason. It's actually setting up the knockdown.
Rather than just showing you the rest of the film is going to be slow close-ups on people's faces and droning fake orchestra music over nothing actually happening.
No, this is NOT one of those films. This is a proper film, written and directed by someone who can write and direct.
Is it a masterpiece? What does that even mean anymore? It's not going to change anyone's life.
Does it stand OUT, like RIGHT OUT, in the sea of boredom we now live in? Yes, yes it does!
Good film. Recommended!
But, previews are easy to make, and often - far, far too often, these days - make the usual junk look good.
To my amazement, this isn't junk. What You Wish For is a competently written, well organised, pacey little thriller.
Actually, the start seems a little slow, but there's a reason. It's actually setting up the knockdown.
Rather than just showing you the rest of the film is going to be slow close-ups on people's faces and droning fake orchestra music over nothing actually happening.
No, this is NOT one of those films. This is a proper film, written and directed by someone who can write and direct.
Is it a masterpiece? What does that even mean anymore? It's not going to change anyone's life.
Does it stand OUT, like RIGHT OUT, in the sea of boredom we now live in? Yes, yes it does!
Good film. Recommended!
Not the best thriller out there but I'm so happy I found this little gem. I advise everyone to go into this movie not watching the trailer or reading too much about the movie. The idea is a never-seen-before one (this is low-key what I expected from the Netflix movie 'Hunger') and the major plot twist made my jaw drop. The cinematography was so much better than I'd normally expect from a low-budget movie, and the ending was incredibly satisfying too. I admit that near the end I didn't like the way things were going, but upon reflexion I don't think another ending would have been more satisfying. I wish more thrillers were made like this. And while you watch the movie, remember... be careful what you wish for.
I've been debating on whether to give this movie a seven or an eight. As far as thrillers go, this is a solid eight. When it comes to movies, in general, I'd give it a seven. Sci-fi exists, after all.
Sci-fi is my favorite genre, and this isn't sci-fi.
For some reason, people keep trying to call this a "B" movie. It isn't. I wouldn't even call it a low-budget movie. It's a movie that doesn't require a big budget. Nothing feels cheap, and it doesn't seem as if the producers were cutting corners to make it. So, I don't understand this criticism.
The movie's strength is, certainly, the story --which is exactly what should drive any good movie. It's an interesting story, with competent actors, writers, cinematography, etc.
I've read some of the other reviews, and some have called it "slow". It isn't. If a person thinks this movie is slow, I'd call that person an impatient viewer. The pace is perfect. It takes the time to make the characters relatable, and to establish an atmosphere that feels authentic. This isn't wasted time. It's just good writing.
Also, as others have pointed out, there doesn't seem to be a lot of buzz, surrounding this movie. My guess is that it just slipped under the radar. I can, definitely, imagine it being one of those movies that people would talk about. However, the lack of attention, works well, for the movie, since, you really do want to watch it without knowing anything about it. The unfolding of the story, provides all of the fun.
If you're into well-written thrillers, and are a patient viewer, then there's no real reason why you wouldn't enjoy this movie.
My greatest suggestion is to watch it, before reading any more reviews. Like I've said, the less you know, the better. The more reviews that you read, the more likely it is that you'll run into spoilers; whether they be small, or otherwise.
Sci-fi is my favorite genre, and this isn't sci-fi.
For some reason, people keep trying to call this a "B" movie. It isn't. I wouldn't even call it a low-budget movie. It's a movie that doesn't require a big budget. Nothing feels cheap, and it doesn't seem as if the producers were cutting corners to make it. So, I don't understand this criticism.
The movie's strength is, certainly, the story --which is exactly what should drive any good movie. It's an interesting story, with competent actors, writers, cinematography, etc.
I've read some of the other reviews, and some have called it "slow". It isn't. If a person thinks this movie is slow, I'd call that person an impatient viewer. The pace is perfect. It takes the time to make the characters relatable, and to establish an atmosphere that feels authentic. This isn't wasted time. It's just good writing.
Also, as others have pointed out, there doesn't seem to be a lot of buzz, surrounding this movie. My guess is that it just slipped under the radar. I can, definitely, imagine it being one of those movies that people would talk about. However, the lack of attention, works well, for the movie, since, you really do want to watch it without knowing anything about it. The unfolding of the story, provides all of the fun.
If you're into well-written thrillers, and are a patient viewer, then there's no real reason why you wouldn't enjoy this movie.
My greatest suggestion is to watch it, before reading any more reviews. Like I've said, the less you know, the better. The more reviews that you read, the more likely it is that you'll run into spoilers; whether they be small, or otherwise.
And the premise is either entirely improbable by any stretch of the imagination. Or...this is a very true-to-life "fictional" depiction by insiders of this one hundred percent (100%) totally happening international thing of people like this.
Regardless. It is good fun. And once we are clued in as to what is really occurring, things get nicely tense and unpredictable. Do a lot of those things always make sense? Naw. Who cares. Are there so many things not cool with the entire deal and not just that one ingredient in the dessert? Yep. But hey, it's a crazy, carefree world these days.
It was great going into this movie totally unaware of what it's about. And that made for a nicer experience.
Oh and it has some dark humor in spots too.
Regardless. It is good fun. And once we are clued in as to what is really occurring, things get nicely tense and unpredictable. Do a lot of those things always make sense? Naw. Who cares. Are there so many things not cool with the entire deal and not just that one ingredient in the dessert? Yep. But hey, it's a crazy, carefree world these days.
It was great going into this movie totally unaware of what it's about. And that made for a nicer experience.
Oh and it has some dark humor in spots too.
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed in the fall of 2021 over 23 days.
- GoofsThe phone's messages has different times through multiple shots at around the 27 minute mark.
- How long is What You Wish For?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $6,279
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,587
- Jun 2, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $59,064
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.20 : 1
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