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

Did not watch 'The Final Wish' with the intent to dislike it. The advertising was cool and creepy and the concept while nothing new did spark interest. Also consider Lin Shaye and Tony Todd not bad actors at all, consider both talented actually though the films they choose to feature in too often don't do them enough justice even when they are bright spots.

That is the case with 'The Final Wish'. Don't consider it that awful or bad enough to make one bail early on (have seen far worse films in the genre and in general), but do agree with the general consensus (seemingly) here that deemed it as underwhelming and not really a good film at all. Not irredeemable by all means, there are a few things that rise it above dreck level only just but there is more bad than good and the flaws sadly are really quite big.

Shaye is a redeeming merit, in full command of her material regardless of it being severely wanting and attacking it with great dilligence and gusto without going over the top. Todd doesn't have anywhere near enough to work with with too short screen time and again wanting material, but he also shows conscientuousness and chills by that voice alone.

For low budget, 'The Final Wish' could have looked a lot worse, even though still not great overall it's not amateur hour. The scenery has eeriness and there is some atmosphere in the lighting.

More focused and less rushed-looking photography would have made them shine more, and the erratic editing is a big detriment. Other than Shaye and Todd, the acting is awful with the epitome of ineptitude in all senses Melissa Bolona giving one of the worst ever performances in recent years. Michael Welch is on autopilot but he is nowhere near as bad as Bolona. The characters have nothing interesting or endearing about them, no development to them really and their decision making and the way they behave makes one frustrated with them. The script is as limp as soggy cucumber sandwiches and felt like a rough draft that had not been properly completed or proof read.

It's the pace and story that doom 'The Final Wish'. There is nothing scary or suspenseful whatsoever, in fact there didn't seem to be any atmosphere at all other than dreariness, and it takes forever to get going and never really kicks into gear when something significant finally does happen too long a way in. Everything feels bland and silly, there is far too much of a seen it all before vibe (not a new idea at all and nothing fresh is done with it) and parts are even confusing. The ending is not a completely predictable one, but it felt anaemic and dragged out like the rest of 'The Final Wish'.

Overall, didn't find it a complete waste of time but it was not a good way of spending it all the same. 3/10

Stop giving Melissa Bolona roles in movies. Her acting is horrible. Especially in this movie

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.

5/10 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 Well this isn't an actual lifetime movie but that's the total vibe this movie has from start to finish. Cheesy jump scares of things that aren't there but as soon as the camera angles change they pop up out of nowhere. The actors are formidable a few you've seen before but have no idea what there names are. Categorized as a horror but a 10yo. could sit thru the film and never have to cover their eyes filled with fear. The plot of the movie is kinda reminiscent of other films like "The Brass Teapot" but not hardly as good. It follows a lawyer who's struggling to get a job, When his father dies he returns home and uncovers an old urn with mysterious powers. The pace of the movie is kinda slow but not that bad most made for TV movies are predictable as this one definitely is. All in all the movie kept my attention for the most part and if your looking for family friendly horror this one will be right up your alley.