Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature metaphysical relationship drama has sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Wander Darkly
What's the Story?
In WANDER DARKLY, partners Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna) have a new house and a newborn baby girl but aren't yet married. They argue about their relationship on the way to a party. Coming home, they're hit by a car. In the hospital, Adrienne sees herself die and starts experiencing a series of time shifts, even visiting a future in which Matteo has abandoned their daughter. But Matteo finds her and begins telling her their story, revisiting all of the crucial points in their life together, with each coming to understand the other's point of view. It works, and Adrienne starts feeling more like herself. But life has still more twists in store for her.
Is It Any Good?
This metaphysical exploration of a complex relationship may feel a little gimmicky, but the intense, intimate exploration of moments in a couple's life emerges as totally genuine. Much more graceful than an experimental attempt like The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Wander Darkly seems to understand the inner workings of both characters at the same time. Yet, as written and directed by Tara Miele, it has a distinctly female point of view. As the scenes magically, crazily transition from one impossible location to another, from one time period to another, Adrienne responds in an emotionally logical manner, focusing on what's important, rather than trying to solve the mystery.
The couple's second chances are truly eye-opening; they relive the same moments and get a chance to compare notes and tell each other what they were really thinking. Or perhaps certain moment were misremembered: When a candle led to a fire in her room, Adrienne only remembered Matteo running away. But in his story, he returned with a fire extinguisher. Perhaps too much emphasis is put on marriage as a solution to everything, but, even so -- and even with its wallop of an ending -- Wander Darkly has enough fluid communication between its two central characters to make it something special.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Wander Darkly depicts sex. How do the characters relate to each other? Is there respect? Trust? What values are imparted?
How is violence used in a story that discusses death?
How do you think the concept of "telling someone their story" would work?
How diverse is the movie? Do characters offer positive representations, or stereotypes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 11, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : February 9, 2021
- Cast : Sienna Miller , Diego Luna , Beth Grant
- Director : Tara Miele
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some sexual content/nudity
- Last updated : January 13, 2022
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