Wander Darkly
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mature metaphysical relationship drama has sex, language.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wander Darkly
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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 directors, Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language and some sexual content/nudity
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings
Romance Movies
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate