Wish Upon (2017)

Wish Upon is the kind of glossy, mischievous teen-horror ride that knows exactly how to turn a familiar “be careful what you wish for” hook into a brisk, crowd-pleasing lark. John R. Leonetti keeps the vibe punchy and a little mean-spirited in the fun way, stacking each wish with the kind of escalating, kooky consequences that make you lean in even when you’re laughing at how wild it gets. Joey King sells the desperation and temptation at the center of it, grounding the movie’s candy-coated fantasy in just enough teenage ache to make the mayhem land. It’s not for viewers who want subtle scares or restrained violence, but if you’re in the mood for a shamelessly entertaining, “watch with friends” thriller that’s equal parts charm and chaos, this one delivers.

Wish Upon wants to be a glossy teen horror fable about greed and consequences, with a “be careful what you wish for” hook and a steady climb in body count. The problem is it plays like a checklist of familiar cursed-object beats, with scares that are often telegraphed and staging that can feel more awkward and campy than genuinely tense. Joey King brings committed energy and there are a few nasty, mean-spirited death set pieces, but the tone wobbles between teen drama and occult horror without ever landing a real punch. If you’re craving original, atmospheric horror, you’ll likely roll your eyes; if you can enjoy a trashy, predictable wish-fulfillment nightmare as a guilty-watch, it may do the job.