Wonderwell (2023) User Reviews

love it

[sbkch97 · 7/10 · 25 October 2023]

I didn't know the movie exited. It's about the perils of adolescence in a form of an imaginative tale of a young woman coming of age in a treacherous world and the choices she is faced with.

I think every parent should watch this film. Suggesting a movie night with your teenagers is a good idea. If you do not judge the film ostensibly, it raises questions about the relationship between parents, children, and adults. Watching father's concern for his daughters as they grow up is a sweet experience, as is the mother's willingness to give up her own time and even her own life for the sake of her daughters. And how difficult it is to preserve love within the family. The movie is filled with many mysteries. But by the end, everything falls into place.

I think it's a shame it had just a limited theatrical release. I would love to watch it in a theater. It's a final Carrie Fisher film after all. Loved it.

Great movie for evening with family

[KarolWitter · 7/10 · 17 October 2023]

Setting & Cinematography: 5/5. The blend of Italy's beauty with the fantasy world captivates right from the get-go. Story & Script: 4/5.

While the heart of Wonderwell is enchanting, certain areas, especially Yana and Hazel relationship motives, needed more explanation. Performances: 5/5. Carrie Fisher shines, anchoring the story with raw emotion. Pacing: 3.5/5. Some moments felt a tad rushed, pulling away from the overall immersion.

Comments: I watched Wonderwell with my child, and the tale's magic gripped him thoroughly. The mix of a modern setting with a fairy-tale twist was an instant hit. Despite some narrative hiccups, the film's emotional core and mesmerizing visuals make it a memorable watch, especially for younger viewers who find themselves swept up in its charm. A delightful pick for family movie nights.

In summary - not worth watching

[ryanwhibberd · 4/10 · 1 July 2023]

The production quality of the film is excellent, which gives the expectation for a good film, especially if intrigued by the trailer.

However, the film is just plain weird and not in a good way. The story seems to never really start, doesn't really know where it's trying to go and never really arrives anywhere.

I think, emphasis on think, it's trying to be clever as a metaphorical coming of age warning about sexual exploitation in the fashion industry? But the film doesn't achieve this aim and besides the very start and very end, the fantasy aspect is effectively irrelevant.

If aimed for children/young teens, it seems inappropriately overly sexual with a cast of all young minors and if aimed at adults it's just fundamentally built for the wrong audience with the irrelevant fantasy tale - which by the way makes no sense and I have no clue what happened, something about a key getting passed between witch sisters?!?

My wife wrapped after about 30 mins in, I committed to give it a chance but it never took off and then just ended, whilst simultaneously being weirdly inappropriate for the nature of film.

Don't recommend, even for intrigue.

Don't waste your time

[andrewdiskin · 2/10 · 25 July 2023]

I don't understand what people are liking about this film. Nothing made sense, it didn't seem to flow all that well, and found myself wondering what the hell did I just watch? Nothing was explained in any way, shape, or form, so you're left guessing about every single aspect of the movie... And not in a good way.

The whole time you're watching waiting for a shoe to drop wondering if this is the scene where it starts to make sense and sure enough, it doesn't. Then finally the happy ending arrives and you're wondering what the hell just happened.

There were beautiful aspects to the film and visually it was nice to watch.

All that glitters is not gold

[tamarabenson-70527 · 10/10 · 21 November 2023]

I read a Wonderwell review, don't remember where exactly, that said some scenes of the film are ""too adult"" for the PG-13. So, I started watching the film with a certain caution, checking if it's appropriate to my 13-year-old princess. I must say that my worries were in vain - and now I understand why some found the movie 'disturbing' - simply because the story tells the hard truth - but not every parent is able to accept or understand it. This film is a fantasy, but it shows how the fashion industry exploits and destroys girls, lured by the glamor of the 'supermodel' world. The film clearly tells that 'All that glitters is not gold', using a very delicate metaphorical language. So, in my view it's a must watch for teen girls - and their parents. I'm not naïve - I don't think any movie, or a book, can 'save' anyone - but at least it may make you think twice before sending your daughter's portfolio to a modeling agency.

What just happened

[toaster-72599 · 2/10 · 15 November 2023]

I'll start off by saying that this movie looks gorgeous, the visual effects and the costuming and the set design were all on point. And that's as far as I can compliment it.

The writing felt like a five year old's meandering word vomit, so many plot points were started only to not really go anywhere. There was no real resolution to anything of significance, no explanation for what did happen, and no real moral point. The character growth was unnatural, the dialogue was embarrassing... With how long this movie took to make there's really no excuse for it turning out like that. So yes, it's beautiful, but otherwise frustrating.

Looking forward to the sequel

[twillme · 8/10 · 28 November 2023]

After the credits, I felt an urge to find out more about how Violet's life changed following her trip to Wonderwell. She could embark on new adventures and, generally, it'll be cool if the sequel explains the mythology of the Wonderwell universe, explores the history, origins, and lore of the fantastical elements introduced in the first movie. In Wonderwell, all those are taken for granted but I'm an inquisitive creature, so I'm looking forward to Wonderwell 2!" Hope to see a story about grown-up girl Violet and her adventures through her adult life. Although will be interesting to see grown-up children&parents line.

It's a kind of puzzle when you watch it

[p-42071 · 7/10 · 27 February 2024]

Wonderwell feels like a clever play of Aesopian language (like "read between the lines" language), subtly challenging the norms. It's a kind of puzzle when you watch it, packed with meanings that quietly defy the conventions of party politics.

Not only does Wonderwell challenge convention, but it also encourages viewers to question and investigate the narrative being presented. As the story unfolds, it continually provokes thought and demands attention. The intricacies of the plot provide a fresh perspective on the dynamics of party politics, pushing viewers to rethink their preconceived notions. Wonderwell is not just a show, but a medium for social commentary and a conduit for meaningful conversation.

I didn't get it...

[phildeesnow · 4/10 · 20 August 2023]

I gave it 4 stars because it's stunningly beautiful, if that's what matters, I could have given a 10...but that's it!... And it's not even a merit of the movie itself, but of the production scouting that chose the location in Rome and Tuscany.

The movie jumps from confusing to inappropriate, I'm not a prude, but it made me feel uncomfortable many times.

There's one line where metaphors are named, and I was during the whole movie trying to find the metaphors in order to make sense, unfortunately I couldn't.

Maybe I'm dumb, or maybe the movie was.

One thing for sure, is that the movie drags, it's boring and pointless.

I wanted to love it so much, because of Carrie Fisher. But to be honest, the movie is a beautiful mess.

Exploring The Feminine?

[almamiller · 9/10 · 10 January 2024]

While Wonderwell certainly explores themes of self-discovery and transformation, many framed it specifically as a reclamation of ""lost femininity"". I believe femininity is not a monolithic concept: Defining and reclaiming femininity can be deeply personal. What resonates with one person might not work for another, and labeling Violet's journey as solely about femininity excludes other possible interpretations. However, I wish for all girls watching this film to have a wise Hazel out there in their lives. Probably she won't tell you how to live your life, but she will be that invaluable helper who will be a guiding light for you as you explore this dangerous world. The film is definitely worth the watch.

Waste of Time & Money

[mcclendonkn · 1/10 · 16 August 2023]

Had I not paid to rent this movie I would have been out after 15 minutes. I finished it hoping it would redeem itself, it did not. Weird sexual images and references. Definitely not family friendly. Frankly, I'd be a little nervous about these film makers working with young girls again. The story had no obvious theme. The acting was not very good, but that could be because the characters had no relatable qualities. Their motivations were unclear and I just couldn't buy into any of them; except maybe the kid Daniella. I don't know how they got funding for this movie. It was obviously expensive to make, but what a waste.

I'd rather have a mammogram

[rgcrocker · 1/10 · 27 January 2024]

It's like Adam Sandler tried to do a Traffic sequel The careless treatment of trauma and female puberty makes me think that Carrie Fisher didn't have the whole script before she signed on. She is the only reason we started the movie at all.

It's confusing, and I feel such compassion for the young actors in this movie. They could have been good, the script, direction and cinematography is what's bad. The dad ends up coming across weirdly creepy, this is in no way a family movie. My kids are mature, this is not appropriate for kids, and I'm not a prude or overly religious or shaming. This was upsetting and gross.

Violet is the perfect role model for young ladies

[pb-47133 · 8/10 · 21 November 2023]

How strange it would be to walk in the woods and discover your own doppelganger, only a few years older. Then something resembling the Alice Through The Looking Glass happens where the girls swap sides. Here's where the suspense begins: if Violet doesn't get back before the next sunrise, she's stuck there forever. A race against the clock is hardly groundbreaking, so I wouldn't call Wonderwell a timeless masterpiece. But as a solid reason for family get-together it definitely justifies seven years spent in its production. Despite the movie's shortcomings, Violet is a perfect role model for young ladies everywhere-the message is clear: be fearless, connect with Mother Nature, and don't conform to society's norms.

So disappointing.. Truly skippable

[labound-69579 · 2/10 · 4 February 2024]

So when I'm trying to decide whether or not to watch a movie I often read what others have said on IMDb reviews. And I would agree with what most people said here, that the movie is confusing and does not have a clearly defined story line AT ALL or explain anything AT ALL. Generally, I love fantasy movies because they're very easy to get into and they can take you away and be very believable in their own right if they are done correctly. And then you have movies that blend fantasy and reality for an example the forgotten movie Prince charming with Martin short and Christina Applegate. Or for example, more recently, even the movie Enchanted. Those are perfect examples of where the line between reality and fantasy is very clearly marked in the film, very well-established, and so the reason for the character being in either one of those worlds in the movie is always very clear so you're not confused as to why both realms exist in the same movie. With this film, it's very unclear what the point of the fantasy world is at all. I wasn't able to establish any purpose for young violet to accidentally come across the magical woods. At first, you think that maybe it's going to be that she's going to become a young woman and learn about sex, and growing up and that kind of thing, with the analogy of the plug in the middle of the forest, but even that makes absolutely zero sense, when she looked into this magical tunnel in the forest and sees another version of herself. Is this supposed to be a version of herself after she has experienced sex? Seems unlikely because she's extremely young and they don't show that or hint that at all. Not that that couldn't work if that's the direction they took with it but it certainly isn't the impression I get from it. So what's the point of her seeing an alternate version of herself? When the film first starts out you get the impression when Violet is baking her cookies that she would like to cast a spell to get her family back together. Great, then you think it's gonna be about her parents connecting with her and maybe her relating better to her older sister, but nowhere in the film does that happen. Carrie Fisher's character is introduced to the audience as being magical because Violet was told by the boy in town that she's a witch so at least her purpose is established although I don't think there's really isn't any defining reason for Violet to randomly run into her. Is Rita Ora supposed to be evil? A scene reveals she is the witch's sister but that doesn't really pan out either because she doesn't really do anything except for let out this horribly forced fake badly acted maniacal laugh after meeting with Carrie Fisher and telling her that she's going to take over the magic power from their mother. Other than flirting with Violet's father, she doesn't really do anything inherently villain like. There's no clear establishment to her being the bad guy here at all. I'm not a screenwriter but it seems to me if they had stuck with one theme or the other it might not have been a bad movie. If they had developed Rita Ora to be more of a villain and the girls in a very clear storyline like Ariel and the Sea witch, selling their souls to become models, that could've worked in a realistic fashion. Or if they had just made the story in modern times and had Violet saving her sister from being sexually exploited that also would've worked. But throwing all of these weird elements together and having random loose ends not tied up leaves for a bad taste and unsatisfactory viewing. To give it one point of redemption I will say that it is definitely not unimpressive with some of the CGI elements. But what's really sad here is the movie was filmed in 2016 and was meant to be released in 2017 but because of the inflated budget due to the cost of the computer graphics that they wanted to complete the film, it took until 2023 to be completed. So, effectively it becomes Carrie Fisher's last role we see her in, and while she's delightful in it, it's not enough to save the movie. The film is not good, hardly watchable the first time and certainly not something I'd ever take the time to watch again. I would truly say the only reason somebody should watch this movie is if they are curious enough to sit through an hour and a half to see Carrie's last performance.

I changed my mind after watching Wonderwell

[kmale-18102 · 9/10 · 25 November 2023]

I read some of the negative reviews about Wonderwell and decided not to waste my time. But my kids happened to have quite a different opinion-their classmates had already watched the movie and my twins didn't want to be left out. They argued for weeks about how Wonderwell was super fun and that Luke and Leia from Star Wars had nothing on Violet and Hazel. After constant pestering, I eventually relented and took them to the movies. I expected to just have a nap for 90 minutes, but wow, was I surprised. All those negative reviews must have been written by dull people with little imagination. So next time trust your kids who don't read trashy reviews-they are much smarter than you may think.

Poorly written

[robinmyrobin · 2/10 · 23 March 2024]

All the actors were fantastic. I especially liked Rita Ora. But the movie went nowhere. There seem to be no story at all. It took me 3 days of stopping and starting this movie to actually watch it. And over an hour and 4 minutes into the movie still nothing had happened. The one thing they could have done better was with the special effects on the fantasy side. There was really nothing going on there. It would have been nice to see something completely different on the fantasy side so that there wasn't an actual choice to make. But the movie was boring despite having really great actors like Carrie Fisher. They could have done much much better with it.

Rich, colorful, recognizable

[timmoroc · 9/10 · 19 November 2023]

I've never been to Italy (or even somewhere in Europe) so I was stunned by the richness and colorfulness of the Tuscan countryside. Its really amazing as for me. Angelo Badalamenti's music (who is Italian, so he knows the tricks) makes it feel so comfortable. What's more, the cast is easily recognizable - perhaps, with the exception of newcomer Kiera Milward. A most interesting film, somewhat blending horror and fantasy together to make a unique story, which carries important messages for young girls before they decide to expose themselves in social media or 'to follow a dream' to become a runway model."

Very Slow Burn with Fantasy? Maybe?

[grantfilms5 · 2/10 · 23 February 2024]

I'm not sure who this movie is for. If I were a kid I would have been checked out 15 minutes in. I'm 36 and I still checked out 15 minutes in. My wife and I sat through it to give a full review just in case it got better. I think the metaphors would go way over most people's heads and the fantasy comes and goes in ways that don't really payoff or make sense. It's honestly really boring and the minors being sexualized makes this a tough watch. There is a lot of filler of just wandering through cities, forests, rooms, and such. Acting is inconsistent throughout and the plot is all over the place.

On the plus side italy is gorgeous!

Takes me back to my childhood

[iamjudddiee · 9/10 · 22 November 2023]

In my opinion, Wonderwell will be an instant classic. These days, kids' movies always seem to be going for that "futuristic" thing, with amazing technology and flying cars and such. This film stands out from the crowd like a blast from the past. Hazel doesn't use Google Maps in the mirror universe and Violet doesn't message her via WhatsApp. The setting is modern (Italy in the 21st century), and Savannah and Yana are up on fashion, but Violet's story is like a traditional fairy tale. I appreciate that-modern children need a bit of a detox from technology from time to time. The closest thing I can compare the film with is Harry Potter. Kudos to the film creators for an opportunity to dive back into my own childhood.

Coming of Age in Wonderland

[casting-78 · 10/10 · 14 November 2023]

The casting worked well with a variety of different characters. The sets, the special effects, and color schemes accented the storyline perfectly. Though the story is a coming of age adventure for a young girl it could have easily fit for a young boy. A nice blend of young love, broken romances, and classic fairy tale themes. The quest for knowledge is well addressed as is the question do you really want to know. A castle, the woods, and a not so pleasant pathway filled with surprises. All surrounded by opposing views of the fashion world filled with glamour and excess with an underlying darkness awaiting in the shadows.

A breathtaking experience for the eyes, ears, and soul

[IamPabloB · 9/10 · 10 November 2023]

What struck me from the first minutes of Wonderwell were the beautiful aerial shots of Tuscan landscapes. The visual effects are great, and Angelo Badalamenti's score filled my heart. At first I couldn't help associating Carrier Fisher with Princess Leia from Star Wars :-) and Hazel is her final role. I watched the movie with my 12-year-old daughter. We both liked it, but I think for different reasons. I focused more on the family relations while she was fully absorbed by Violet's magic adventures. We both ended up getting a lot out of it, and I am happy that we didn't trust all those negative reviews.

Fascinating scene

[ksbbbsni · 9/10 · 15 January 2024]

It's an inspiring film that beautifully explores themes of self-discovery. Violet's adventure takes her to the edge of her comfort zone, and Kiera Milward's portrayal is both relatable and empowering. The stunning visual effects bring the magical world to life, and Carrie Fisher's portrayal of Hazel adds multiple layers of feminine wisdom and mystery. The attention to detail in creating this fantastical realm is truly awe-inspiring, immersing viewers in a visually stunning experience that adds depth and richness to the storytelling. Overall, this film is a powerful exploration of self-discovery, empowerment, and the importance of embracing our true selves.

Carrie Fisher is perfect as a wise lady

[wisefelicia · 9/10 · 18 January 2024]

I saw that Carrie Fisher was in Wonderwell, so obviously I checked it out. The way she plays (or maybe just the way she is in real life) is really like a wise woman, like a mentor. This role seems tailor-made for her, IMO. Actually to be a bit meta, it's also sort of melancholic that this is her last role, but also it seems so much like how I'd imagine she is in real life. I wouldn't say that she's the only good thing in Wonderwell--far from it--but it's hard for me to imagine the movie without her. She just left me feeling really glad I got to see her here. Fantasy is definite the genre for her, and this is a really nice movie to stay as some kind of tribute to a really great woman and actress.

Carrie Fisher is a little diamond

[sementsovgeorg · 9/10 · 24 October 2023]

A magical coming-of-age tale set in stunning Italy. While K. Milward impresses as Violet, Rita Ora's Yana steals the show. Known for her diverse career, Ora brings depth & sophistication to Yana. I remember Rita Ora well from the films Southpaw, Fifty Shades Freed, Twist, to name a few. I loved Carrie Fisher in the Wonderwell. She looks very comfortable in her current role. As for the film, Italy's landscapes, brilliantly captured, add an ethereal charm. Each shot is art, showcasing Italy's essence & the story's magic. And the mysterious forest is full of secrets, unusual creatures, carnivorous flowers and good witches. A must-watch, especially for Ora's fans and Carrie Fisher lovers. Great storyline, stellar cast & Italy's allure make it a treat. A solid 9/10 for me.

A cool new teen fantasy movie

[bateslinda-16323 · 9/10 · 5 December 2023]

I never watched anything like "Wonderwell" before. From one hand It reminds me classical fantasy movies like Pan's Labyrinth and Golden Compas, but it also shows the perils of the modeling business and , in general, the dangers and traps of growing up. Someone may find such a combination strange or even disturbing, but if you ever tried to lecture your teenage daughter about 'real life' , you would understand what I'm talking about.... It's highly recommended for young girls dreaming about modeling career. I'm not surprised that none of the guy critics understood what is going on in the film. The women will. And the film's mesmerizing magical realism atmosphere contributes significantly to the film's overall impact.