The issue of revealing too much in a film review is a contentious one, and in discussing "What You Wish For", this conundrum takes center-stage. This film, impeccably written and directed by Nicholas Tomnay and featuring the talented Nick Stahl, flourished due to the thrill and horror amplified by the absence of prior exposure.
The crux of this discourse is to endorse this remarkable film, grounded by a convincingly muted performance by Stahl. His character, Ryan, embodies a life marred by vices and struggles, which evident through Stahl's emotionally charged yet subdued performance. Ryan's journey starts in an anonymous Central or South American country, a text message distressed him and his urgency to disappear becomes apparent. A surprising welcome awaits him in the mountains by a driver his friend Jack - played by Brian Groh - has organized. Jack spends his time in a luxurious house tucked into the hills inviting Ryan to join him. Their shared professional background as chefs is juxtaposed with Ryan's hidden run from debt collectors, who have now started threatening his mother.
Curiosity gets the better of Ryan when he discovers Jack's considerable wealth. Intrigued by the source of such affluence, Ryan contemplates what could possibly be wrong in such an elevated lifestyle. The revelation is shocking and repels Ryan into desperation and fright.
Nick Stahl's performance offers a unique account of Ryan's helpless state when he has to impersonate Jack and cater to eerily polite clients, led by Imogene (Tamsin Topolski).
Avoiding spoilers, the film builds up an immense suspense, reminiscent of the thrill embedded in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”. Intriguingly, the audience finds itself cheering for Ryan, similar to Norman Bates, despite his questionable morality. The film reminds us repeatedly of Ryan's unique culinary skills. "What You Wish For" magnificently utilizes a common phrase to highlight the irony of yearning for a life like Jack's without understanding the horrifying underpinnings.
