Down on his luck and saddled with debt from his gambling problems, talented chef Ryan flees to a Latin American villa where he reconnects with his old culinary school friend Jack. Jack seems to have his own unique troubles but lives an extravagant life. Ryan is envious of having his life until he gets to live Jack’s life after fate takes a grim turn. A harrowing suspense-horror, What You Wish For was directed, written, and produced by Nicholas Tomnay (The Perfect Host). Studios Evergreen Avenue, Jaguar Bite, and Freestyle Picture Company produced the film while Magnet Releasing distributed it.

A Well-Paced Thriller

Thrillers don’t always leave their mark like the filmmakers want them to. What You Wish For was one such thriller that managed to hit the mark with a deliciously enticing plot. While the thrill may seem low to major thrill seekers, the movie is sure to unsettle viewers with its grim take on the saying: “Be careful what you wish for.” The pacing is great for a thriller, but may not be for those who want their thrill fast and easy. The start is slow and for good reason. The buildup may feel unbearable for the 20 or 30-so minutes the movie uses to set up the setting and main character, but without it, the entire tension built up would fall through.

From the start, there’s a sense of unease. This only builds throughout, especially once the plot really starts. The viewers and Ryan know exactly what the thrilling element is, but can do nothing against it. As much as what Ryan knows, there’s even more he doesn’t. The vibe is a constant chilly stream running down the back of the viewer’s spine with a twist that is exquisite and so naturally woven into the story. With a heart-dropping and dreadfully hilarious ironic conclusion to boot, this movie certainly isn’t for everyone but would be adored by those who love it when the thriller elements are known to the character without fully understanding them.

A Strong Cast But an Odd Character Choice

What You Wish For stars Nick Stahl as Ryan (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) and Brian Groh (Breaking) as Jack. Joining them are Tamsin Topolski (Penny Dreadful), Randy Vasquez (Murder in the Vineyard), Penelope Mitchell (Sting), and Juan Carlos Messier (Stolen Away). Overall, each cast member delivers on their characters, giving the movie a variety of character personalities to play with.

The one unfavorable choice involving the characters is how nonchalant and chill Stahl’s character Ryan is. As the main character, one would almost expect him to freak out or react a lot more to the predicament he gets himself in. Yet, for the majority of the movie, he stays chill and acts far too calm for someone in his position. It’s not wholly unrealistic, as people react differently to the same (or similar) events Ryan experienced, but it made the character feel not as real.