There’s a sense of nobility in Spencer King’s feature directorial debut, The Wilderness. It’s a brave and satisfying film that tackles the horrific, under-reported phenomenon of wilderness therapy retreats. These are programs where hundreds of thousands of children are sent each year, often shrouded in secrecy and protected by wealthy corporations, and where cycles of systemic abuse have led to the wholly preventable deaths of hundreds.
The Wilderness Review
It’s easy to be unaware of something like this, and King wants to bring a sense of justice and awareness to the victims of these programs. His film is a survival thriller about a group of boys forging a path together through a cruel system, and it’s a deeply satisfying coming-of-age story full of gripping performances and excellent technical skill.
The film stars Hunter Doohan as Ed, a troubled boy who is abducted from his home and forced into the unforgiving wilderness of the Utah plains. There, under the watchful, manipulative eye of a cryptic camp director, he must navigate his internal struggles against the external struggles of the harsh environment around him.
Wednesday Season 2 Part 2: Episode Guide, Release Time & Title List
He forges a bond with several other boys trapped in the same nightmarish situation, and it’s in this camaraderie that the film finds its heart. It’s a blend of genuinely satisfying moments of connection and tight, nerve-wracking thrills, which Spencer King delicately balances. Through small acts of defiance and shared vulnerability, The Wilderness
Wednesday’s Hunter Doohan is a phenomenal leading man. His charm and the maturity that comes with being almost 30 years old as an actor create a character who feels simultaneously beyond his years and also deeply held back. Ed is complicated, relatable, and challenging, and Doohan makes him a swell protagonist who carries the emotional weight of the film with an incredible, grounded ease. He delivers a performance that is both subtle and powerful, allowing you to see the flicker of hope and fear in his eyes without ever overplaying a single moment.
The supporting performances from the other boys are what elevate the film. Lamar Johnson, Aaron Holliday, and Matt Gomez-Hidaka are incredible. They build an authentic and moving portrait of shared trauma and boyhood friendship that feels raw and completely real. Much of their acting is conveyed through shared glances and nonverbal cues, building a brotherhood that feels genuine and earned. Their chemistry with Doohan is the heart of the movie, and watching their bond form in the face of such cruelty is a special experience.
Wednesday Star’s Unexpected Love for One 80% Rated Bollywood Musical Drama Has Fans Curious
The Wilderness finds so much of its soul in its striking photography and sense of quiet beauty. Cinematographer Sean Mouton shoots against the devastating and brutal background of the Utah wilderness, making the landscape both a terrifying antagonist and a source of awe-inspiring beauty. The sheer scale of the desert, the oppressive heat, and the endless dust make the boys seem small and vulnerable, amplifying their isolation. Because the cast and crew were actually on this set, there is a sense of realism that many films strive for but rarely achieve.
Is The Wilderness worth watching?
Many films that attempt to adopt a contemplative approach to drama and thrills often wind up feeling incredibly slow. But through his use of an incredible, haunting score from Isaac Middleton and a strong visual sense, King has created a film that is a spectacle in its own small way. The genuine passion that King has for this story seeps through every frame, elevating the film beyond a simple thriller into something far more profound.
It’s a harrowing journey that rarely overstays its welcome and is, in many ways, a complete joy while also being quietly devastating. It’s a special experience, make no doubt about it. The Wilderness is a powerful and important film that deserves to be seen, both as a piece of art and as a call for awareness.
The Wilderness is in theaters on October 17.
