The story of Wish Upon
Wish Upon tells the story of a teenager who inherits an ornate music box with a genuinely unsettling premise at its core: it grants wishes. Seven of them, to be exact. The catch—and there's always a catch—is that each wish fulfilled exacts a brutal price. Every time the box works its magic, someone close to her dies in a violent, often gruesome way. It's a modern spin on the Monkey's Paw concept, where desire and consequence become inextricably tangled, and the protagonist must grapple with whether the wants she's chasing are worth the bodies that pile up in their wake. The film plays in the supernatural horror space, leaning into PG-13 scares that aim for genuine dread rather than gore, though the deaths themselves can be genuinely unsettling.
Behind the making of Wish Upon
Director John R. Leonetti brought Wish Upon to screens in 2017 with a cast anchored by Joey King, who'd already proven her range in dramatic and genre work. Alongside King, the film features Ki Hong Lee, Sydney Park, Shannon Purser (known for Stranger Things), Sherilyn Fenn, Elisabeth Röhm, and Ryan Phillippe. The screenplay came from Barbara Marshall, working in the supernatural-horror space that's always been a reliable box-office draw for studios targeting younger audiences. The film carried a PG-13 rating, making it accessible to teens while still attempting genuine scares. Financially, Wish Upon earned $14.3 million at the box office—a modest return that reflects the crowded landscape of supernatural teen horror in 2017. The film did receive two nominations during awards season, though it didn't capture major critical prizes. Its Metascore of 32 and Rotten Tomatoes score of 20 percent indicate that critics found the execution uneven, though some audiences have found guilty-pleasure value in its more absurd moments.
What makes Wish Upon a divisive viewing experience
Here's the thing about Wish Upon: it's not trying to be high art, and that's both its weakness and—for certain viewers—its strange appeal. Joey King commits to the emotional core of the story, and there's real tension in watching a character slowly realize that her desires are killing the people she loves. The concept itself is genuinely dark when you sit with it. A teenager making selfish wishes and watching loved ones die as a result? That's psychologically twisted material. The film doesn't shy away from the body count or the visual consequences of wish-granting. What doesn't always work is the execution—the pacing can feel sluggish, and some of the horror beats land with less impact than intended. The deaths, while designed to be shocking, sometimes teeter on unintentional comedy (a complaint echoed by viewers who've found themselves laughing at rather than with the scares). The supporting performances are serviceable, though the script doesn't always give them much to work with beyond reaction shots and exposition. What's striking is that Wish Upon isn't incompetent—it's just trying to do too much with a familiar premise and occasionally stumbling in the process. Movie OTT tracks where supernatural horror films like this one are currently streaming, making it easier to find them alongside similar titles in the genre.
Where to stream Wish Upon online
Wish Upon is currently available on Prime Video, where you can stream it on demand. If you're browsing for supernatural horror or teen-focused scares, the film's PG-13 rating makes it accessible for a wide audience—though parents should know that the deaths depicted can be fairly intense for younger viewers. The where-to-watch widget at the top of this page will show you real-time availability across platforms, since streaming rights shift regularly. Prime Video's library includes a solid selection of horror films from the 2010s, and Wish Upon sits comfortably within that catalog for anyone looking for a Friday-night watch that doesn't require a huge commitment—it's just 89 minutes long.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Wish Upon?
John R. Leonetti directed the film. Leonetti has worked extensively in horror and thriller genres, bringing a visual sensibility honed across numerous supernatural projects. He also served as cinematographer on several major horror films before moving into the director's chair.
Q: Is Wish Upon based on a true story?
No, Wish Upon is an original screenplay by Barbara Marshall. The concept draws inspiration from classic wish-fulfillment folklore—particularly the Monkey's Paw—but isn't adapted from any real events or published source material.
Q: What's the runtime of Wish Upon?
The film runs 89 minutes, making it a relatively brisk supernatural horror experience. That lean runtime means the story moves quickly from setup through the wish-granting consequences, without much downtime for character development.
Q: What rating is Wish Upon?
Wish Upon received a PG-13 rating, which means parental guidance is suggested for children under 13. The film contains some intense scenes of death and violence, though nothing graphically explicit. It's designed to scare without crossing into R-rated territory.
Q: Where can I watch Wish Upon right now?
Wish Upon is available on Prime Video. Check the where-to-watch widget above for current platform availability in your region, since streaming rights vary by location and can change over time. Movie OTT keeps that information current across all major services.
Final thoughts on Wish Upon
Wish Upon isn't destined to become a horror classic, and the critical consensus reflects that reality. But it's also not without merit for viewers who enjoy supernatural teen horror and don't mind a film that swings for the fences, even if it doesn't always connect. The central concept is genuinely compelling—a girl trapped between desire and consequence—and Joey King carries that weight effectively. If you're looking for something in the horror space that doesn't take itself too seriously and won't demand three hours of your time, it's worth a stream on Prime Video. Just don't expect critical redemption. Expect, instead, a film that knows what it is: a PG-13 scare ride with more ambition than polish, and a premise dark enough to linger even when the execution falters.
