Wish Upon

Wish Upon released in 2017 features Joey King as the protagonist alongside other stars such as Ryan Phillippe, Ki Hong Lee, Mitchell Slaggert, and Shannon Purser. Directed by John R. Leonetti and written by Barbara Marshall, it's an intriguing combination of horror, fantasy, and drama. It is an enticing ride that meticulously blends the quintessential elements of horror with a dash of supernatural fantasy.

King embodies the character of Clare Shannon, a socially outcast seventeen-year-old girl who, for the most part, lives an unsatisfactory life. Neither popular in school nor do the odds seem to favor her at home. Her widowed father, played by Ryan Phillippe, barely makes ends meet, maneuvering between a trash-collecting job by the day and playing the drums in an unsuccessful band by the night. Clare’s life is typical of many teenagers – full of teenage angst, lack of popularity, and trouble fitting into her clique.

But, her life takes a sudden unanticipated turn when her father finds and gives her an ornate, antique Chinese music box. The music box carries inscriptions in Chinese which Clare partially manages to translate. She learns that the box has the power to grant her seven wishes. With seven wishes at her disposal, this could be Clare's ticket to turning around her imperfect life into an idyllic one.

While it seems that possibility knows no boundaries, there is a chilling and haunting side to this seemingly miraculous antique box. Every desire that gets fulfilled drags Clare into a dangerous whirlpool of unforeseeable horror. Through the engaging progression of the narrative, the movie shows Clare grappling with her newfound fortunes and the intense perils that they bring with them.

Ryan Phillippe, as Clare's father, demonstrates an affectionate portrayal of a man in his earnest efforts to make his daughter happy, oblivious to the impending doom. Joey King excels in reflecting the nuances of Clare's transformation – her initial battles with teenage angst, the ecstasy of wishes coming true, and eventual horror that shatters the illusion of utopia. Ki Hong Lee offers a commendable performance as Ryan Hui, a classmate who aids Clare in comprehending her situation.

Throughout the narrative, Wish Upon introduces dynamic horror elements. There's an intriguing and goosebumps-inducing anticipation built in each scene. The movie successfully uses regular teenaged elements like school life and relationships and juxtaposes it with a eerie suspense closely intertwined with Clare's wishes. It’s the kind of horror flick where you don’t just sit back and watch, you cringe, get shocked, and feel the relentless suspense eating into you.

Wish Upon harks to the age-old idea adopted in tales worldwide – the principle that everything comes at a price. It spins this essence into a modern scenario and dives into the exploration of moral values, ambitions, human desires, and the lengths to which a person would go for personal gain. It is a timeless warning of caution against the reckless pursuit of one's desires without considering possible consequences.

The movie takes its viewers on an absorbing suspense ride that never stays stagnant but instead continually builds up with each wish. The production design and cinematography create an engaging visual atmosphere that brilliantly resonates with the overarching theme of the film.

Wish Upon succeeds in providing an immersive experience, keeping you gripped as you follow Clare’s turbulent adventure into the unforeseen dangers of making a wish. It’s a classic goose-bump inducing horror that will have you questioning the next time you wish upon a star. The story, the characters, and the suspense - they all amalgamate to keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end. Talk about a tricky genie in a box! This movie promises to not just entertain but also gives pause for thought about the quirk of destiny and the inherent balance of the universe.

Overall, Wish Upon makes for an entertaining watch for all the fans of the supernatural horror genre - a tale of wishes, nightmares, and a grim reminder of the adage - be careful what you wish for.