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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

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    + 12
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    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

    6.710.4K
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    Featured reviews

    7Otkon

    I enjoyed this.

    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.
    7salmon62

    Interesting, well-done, and disgusting but worthwhile

    This movie is messed up, but in a good way if that makes any sense. Yes, I recommend it because it is a crazy premise but it makes sense how it is executed with most angles covered to protect the organization.

    The actors are great, you would expect people no different if this organization was really operating!

    It is dark and not for young people because it is a bleak premise from start to finish.

    But what a ride. Once the plot is revealed, it is referred to almost casually as a task that must be accomplished, and there are complications which arise in the dinner plan.

    This is what makes this movie so interesting!
    7cyndriana

    A little gem

    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.
    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.
    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.

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    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.

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    FAQ17

    • 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
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.20 : 1

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