Wish You Were Here (2011)

Critic Reviews

• John Anderson, Variety

  Despite its dubious inhabitants, the film consistently entertains by throwing the kinds of curves one should see coming but doesn't.

• David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

  Kieran Darcy-Smith's debut feature maintains a vice-like grip that reaches maximum intensity as the mystery is solved.

• Luke Buckmaster, Crikey

  For a long time the nonlinear structure dilutes the impact of a bunch excellent performances, led by Edgerton's seasick glare.

• CJ Johnson, ABC Radio (Australia)

  It confidently embraces a fractured narrative that ranges across time and between two countries without ever being confusing or obfuscating... Wish You Were Here is deeply excellent on every level it chooses to operate.

• Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews

  Australian thriller Wish You Were Here works as a cautionary tale about burying dark secrets, yet its distractive structure weakens its overall impact.

• Cameron Williams, The Popcorn Junkie

  A brilliant Australian film that examines Australians abroad, relationships and the consequences of having a bulletproof attitude when travelling.

• Blake Howard, 2UE That Movie Show

  The performances are raw, real and beautiful by the three leads Edgerton, Price and Palmer. And it's a fantastic debut from director Kieran Darcy-Smith whose poetic compositions compliment the thematic contrasts of the unfolding story.

• Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies (Australia)

  This is an impressive debut from Darcy-Smith and for producer Angie Fielder.

• Craig Mathieson, The Age (Australia)

  The underdone ending is what prevents a good film being a great one.

• Scott Murray, Sydney Morning Herald

  Wish You Were Here may misjudge how to tell its story, but it remains a fascinating and highly relevant film.

• Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald

  It is tightly plotted with a scary denouement that nails its point about the deadliness of rogue circumstance in a very satisfying way.

• Anthony Morris, The Vine

  Australian films rarely have difficultly looking good, and this one makes both Sydney and Cambodia look gorgeous and yet slightly menacing.

• Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia)

  For the most part, this is consistently strong and intriguing stuff, let down only by a seemingly rushed (or possibly ill-conceived?) final act.

• Erin Free, FILMINK (Australia)

  Announcing its debut director Kieran Darcy-Smith as a talent to watch, this superbly crafted tale always roots its thrills in rich characterisation.

• Simon Foster, sbs.com.au

  Wish You Were Here is further indication (after Animal Kingdom and The Square) that the Australian film industry is capable of telling thrilling contemporary stories with world-class dexterity.

• Tom Clift, Moviedex

  A slickly made but unfortunately distracted debut.

• Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

  The filmmakers have got everything right for a genre film that sets out to keep us on the edge of our seats

• Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

  In his feature film directing debut, multi-talented writer director Kieran Darcy-Smith has conceived and structured a powerful screenplay in collaboration with actress wife Felicity Price, whose performance in the leading role of Alice is stunning

• Simon Miraudo, Quickflix

  Wish You Were Here is a slick, solid, and unsettling drama that plays right into Australians' joint love and fear of travelling abroad... At least, until it falls apart in the end.

• Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net

  The type of heavy drama that might not necessarily play for mass audiences but the skill of filmmaking and talented cast should bring the film some critical prestige.

Read all 20 critic reviews