Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

What You Wish For

  • 2023
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
10K
YOUR RATING
What You Wish For (2023)
A down-on-his-luck chef with gambling problems flees to a Latin American villa, where he assumes the identity of another man.
Play trailer2:04
2 Videos
16 Photos
Dark ComedyPsychological ThrillerHorrorThriller

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.

  • Director
    • Nicholas Tomnay
  • Writer
    • Nicholas Tomnay
  • Stars
    • Nick Stahl
    • Tamsin Topolski
    • Randy Vasquez
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nicholas Tomnay
    • Writer
      • Nicholas Tomnay
    • Stars
      • Nick Stahl
      • Tamsin Topolski
      • Randy Vasquez
    • 72User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    Official Trailer
    What You Wish For
    Trailer 0:50
    What You Wish For
    What You Wish For
    Trailer 0:50
    What You Wish For

    Photos15

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 12
    View Poster

    Top cast20

    Edit
    Nick Stahl
    Nick Stahl
    • Ryan
    Tamsin Topolski
    Tamsin Topolski
    • Imogene
    Randy Vasquez
    Randy Vasquez
    • Detective Ruiz
    Penelope Mitchell
    Penelope Mitchell
    • Alice
    Juan Carlos Messier
    Juan Carlos Messier
    • Maurice
    Brian Groh
    Brian Groh
    • Jack
    Ariel Sierra
    Ariel Sierra
    • Officer Gallo
    David Tominaga
    • Akira
    Norma Nivia
    • Frankie
    Megumi Hasebe
    • Li Na
    Evan Sudarsky
    • Alvin
    Greg Winter
    Greg Winter
    • Barry
    Juan Pablo Solano
    Juan Pablo Solano
    • Driver
    Camila Herrera
    • Young country girl
    Maria Fernanda Gomez
    • Maria
    Brian Acuna
    • Roberto
    Maria Teresa Cuellar
    • Grandmother
    Raphael Philippon
    • Bjorn
    • Director
      • Nicholas Tomnay
    • Writer
      • Nicholas Tomnay
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews72

    6.710.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    7torivt65

    Where did this come from?!

    I don't think I've ever watched a movie this good that I haven't heard buzz for beforehand. I watched this as a complete fluke because the poster image was cool and 6.8 is a decent score on IMDb. The acting besides the friend at the beginning, is excellent. The story is tightly paced and ultimately very logical which is always a surprise in this type of movie.

    I watch a lot of movies in particular a lot of horror, and I haven't felt this tense in a movie and quite a while. This movie was evocative to me of The Gift, so if you enjoyed that I believe you will also like this movie. Highly recommend overall!

    (Hunter Hunter is the last movie I've seen starring Nick Stahl and it is also very tense and memorable. I would recommend watching that if you enjoyed his performance here.)
    7yxfykbq

    Could be a tv show

    "What You Wish For" had the potential to be a binge-worthy limited series. The premise of a down-on-his-luck chef impersonating a colleague for a wealthy family with dark secrets is packed with tension and ripe for exploration over multiple episodes.

    A TV show format would have allowed for a deeper dive into the characters' motivations and the bizarre world they inhabit. We could have seen the chef navigate the opulent estate and its eccentric inhabitants over time, building suspense and gradually unraveling the family's mysteries.

    The film felt rushed, cramming a story with rich potential into a short runtime. A series could have fleshed out the plot, creating a more satisfying and suspenseful viewing experience.
    7cynicsick

    Go watch not knowing anything about it.

    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!
    7stevenevans-28597

    Interesting and Enjoyable

    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.
    7hoytyhoytyhoyty

    Much, much better than I was expecting.

    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!

    More like this

    The Perfect Host
    6.7
    The Perfect Host
    Lowlifes
    6.2
    Lowlifes
    Drop
    6.1
    Drop
    The Host
    6.3
    The Host
    Sleep
    6.6
    Sleep
    Bring Her Back
    7.2
    Bring Her Back
    The Rule of Jenny Pen
    6.2
    The Rule of Jenny Pen
    Locked
    5.8
    Locked
    The Ugly Stepsister
    7.0
    The Ugly Stepsister
    Swimming to France
    7.4
    Swimming to France
    Presence
    6.1
    Presence
    Heart Eyes
    6.1
    Heart Eyes

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filmed in the fall of 2021 over 23 days.
    • Goofs
      The phone's messages has different times through multiple shots at around the 27 minute mark.
    • Quotes

      Jack: Could be a helluva lot worse.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ

    • How long is What You Wish For?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 2025 (Russia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Amazon Link
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Чого ви бажаєте
    • Filming locations
      • Colombia
    • Production companies
      • Evergreen Avenue
      • Jaguar Bite
      • Freestyle Picture Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,279
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,587
      • Jun 2, 2024
    • Gross worldwide
      • $59,064
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.20 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.