The Final Wish

People are honestly, being incessantly harsh about this film, it isn't bad at all. Yes this film have many issues, but it isn't aspiring to High Art as other recent films such as "Us".. No, it's not really a horror film, I'd call it more of a strange supernatural thriller. BUT, it deserves about a 5.5-6.0 rating, it is above average, on the whole. Given that, I would like to note some of the positive aspects of the film up front:

1. There are a few decent twist through the progression of the film, and while it is very similar to "Wish Upon" or say "Wish Master" in terms of the overall concept is the same, but I could say that about thousands of stories and movies, so that's irrelevant. The way the story is told is different, and I think, for at least some of the film, fairly unique. 2. The lighting is used very well, with constant blue and red hues that help set an ominous tone, it is similar to the lighting used in "Mandy", but it is not "copying" it is used in an entirely different way and is used to enhance the overall mood.. 3. The overall visual aesthetic and setting of the film are great with the rural setting being used to ample affect and the old houses it is set in is beautiful in is being used very well in terms of how it is filmed. 3. The acting on the whole is very good. It is above average for a film of this nature. Lin Shaye, however, does put in a bit of a scenery chewing performance here, and is extremely entertaining, I don't think she had allusions about the quality of the film she was making. Michael Welch is likeable as well in the lead. 4. The initial set-up is great, with the opening scene, and the background of the our protagonist being minimally expounded, and actually creates some intrigue as people confront his absence, it hints at more than the script ever reveals unfortunately. 5. The pacing of the film is good, it is steady, and moves at a moderate pace. 6. As stated earlier, the story has a few decent twist. 7. The cinematography, and the way the rural setting is filmed is beautiful. 8. The score is nice and is on the whole very subtle and affecting.

The primary problem I had with this film is not what most people will likely point out, but rather that at about the 40 minute mark, it suddenly drops the thread about the main character being a general jerk, and likely highly absent-minded and forgetful person who hurt a lot of people unintentionally. Why was this dropped? Unfortunately, it was due to the conventions of the plot. This film hews so close to some common plot conventions inherent in this type of film, that it unfortunately loses one of the more interesting things about the film film, and that was conflict between the lead character, his mom, and the town. We never quite understand why he made the decisions he did, and I really felt if we did, even despite some of the contrite and contrived plot conventions, it really would have elevated this film. There are other minor quibbles such as silly jump scares and plot logic issues, but its FANTASY and overall, it's fairly rooted in reality for a rather fantastical, ocassionally silly, and at times trippy film.

On the whole, this was an enjoyable and decently entertaining diversion, that at least for a while, holds some mystery, and even when you know where the plot is going, you still at least have a few surprises left before the fairly predictable conclusion. Not at all as bad as these reviews on here are implying, it seems to me, they probably don't watch many films, because even if this film isn't mind blowing, it is, when all things are considered; slightly above average.

Coming from someone who has watched most of the worst horror films of the 1980's, if you liked "Mirror Mirror" or "Witchboard", I see no reason not to like this one. Heck "Urban Legend" has a better rating and that film is filled with moronic jump scares and idiotic plot conventions, but it is entertaining, if you are rating those movies moderately or high and hate "The Final Wish", your might be missing the forest for the trees. Yes there are useless "Jump scares", but so what, what modern suspense film doesn't have them? "Rings" and "Ouija" currently have a slightly higher rating and this film is a heck of a lot better than "Rings" and "Ouija" in so many regards its ridiculous.

God Bless ~Amy

There were two reasons for why I decided to sit down and watch "The Final Wish". The first reason being solely that it is a horror movie, as I am a huge fan of the horror genre. And the second was that it had Lin Shaye on the cast list.

I had no expectations to the movie, so director Timothy Woodward Jr. had a clean slate to use for impressing me. However, it turned out that the storyline and plot for "The Final Wish" was subpar and less than mediocre, actually. The movie just seemed to run on autopilot and offered nothing new to the horror genre. Plus, the storyline was so predictable that you knew what happened well before it would transpire on the screen.

It should be said that the acting in the movie was adequate, despite the fact that the performers had very little to work with in terms of script, plot and characters.

I terms of it being a horror movie, then "The Final Wish" was frightfully devoid of anything even remotely scary or spooky. And when the big reveal was unveiled, it was just a shrug on the shoulder, because I had smelled it coming a mile away.

Did the movie had potential that wasn't utilized or exploited? No. Everything was put to use in the movie, just a shame that it was a bland experience and final product.

If you enjoy horror movies, then you should probably invest your time, money and effort in something else, because "The Final Wish" is a less than mediocre foray into the genre, offering nothing new or innovative.

I love horror movies of all kinds, even cheesy low end ones. My son found this in a $3 bin at Walmart and noticed Tony Todd, I'm a huge Tony Todd fan, plus Lin Shaye, I was sold! It's very made for TV feeling, yes. The actress that plays Lisa is terrible, yes. It could've been better... Tony Todd and Lin Shaye could've had bigger parts too but it wasn't awful. I now own it, I might watch it one more time but that might be it lol. You only live once right lol.

As a hardcore horror fan and not young I've seen alot of movies and while this may not be a scary jump scream movie it was very entertaining to watch ! Tony todd playing a more serious short role to waiting to hear the word wish in a statement to see outcome ! While movie was not scary it made you think on life if you wished for something so bad . Didnt expect the ending ! And as with everything there is a butterfly effect with your decisions you make in life !! Most people who make comments sees one scary movie that looks like this movie and then calls this junk ! Not a wishmaster movie but i did enjoy this and would say more suspenseful then horror film and every new movie i dont compair to others !!!

There are a lot of 1 star reviews here. It doesn't deserve that.

A struggling (and a pretty self-absorbed) lawyer who's dad has just died gets called home. Among his dad's things is an old urn (or something) with a Devil's head on top. As he starts making wishes he doesn't realize they're coming true until he begins seeing the pattern.

For the first half it's very slow and kind of uneventful which probably put some people off and there are some quite eccentric moments involving his mother but this is nowhere near as bad as some people are making it out to be

I can see how someone might give this 4 stars but certainly not any lower. I've given it what I think is a genuine 5. I managed to sit right through it , anyway which is a pretty good indication it isn't THAT bad.