What You Wish For

"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.

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.

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.)

Started watching with no expectations and was gripped right from the start.

"What You Wish For" showcases the power of storytelling that doesn't rely on overblown special effects or high-octane action. Instead, it captivates with its intricately woven narrative and masterful direction, making it an exhilarating watch from start to finish.

The film is a gripping tale that unfolds with a series of unexpected twists and turns. Each scene meticulously builds tension, holding viewers at the edge of their seats. The characters are well-crafted, drawing you into their complexities and dilemmas as the plot evolves.

What makes this movie particularly impressive is how it keeps you invested purely through brilliant writing and strong performances. Without a single grandiose explosion or dizzying chase sequence, it proves that a compelling story can resonate and thrill just as much, if not more.

No visual effects, m"What You Wish For" stands out as an exceptional piece of cinema, showcasing the true power of storytelling that doesn't rely on overblown special effects or high-octane action. Instead, it captivates audiences with its intricately woven narrative and masterful direction, making it an exhilarating watch from start to finish.

The film is a gripping tale that unfolds with a series of unexpected twists and turns. Each scene meticulously builds tension, holding viewers at the edge of their seats, all while subtly layering emotional depth and psychological intrigue. The characters are well-crafted, drawing you into their complexities and dilemmas as the plot evolves.

What makes this movie particularly impressive is how it keeps you invested purely through brilliant writing and strong performances. Without a single grandiose explosion or dizzying chase sequence, it proves that a compelling story can resonate and thrill just as much, if not more.

Must 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!