Summary
Led by two strong performances from Jenna Coleman and Jackson Oliver-Cohen, Wilderness delivers a must-watch psychological thriller you can’t keep your eyes off.
This review of the Prime Video series Wilderness Season 1 does not contain spoilers.
“Look What You Made Me Do” might be a Taylor Swift song, but it is the theme of the Prime Video series Wilderness. The series is based on the B.E. Jones 2019 novel Wilderness, adapted by screenwriter Marnie Dickens. Dickens teams with director So Yong Kim to bring this twisted psychological thriller to life with six episodes.
Wilderness Season 1 review and plot summary
Wilderness follows a twisted love story where a newlywed couple decides to head on a road trip to reinvigorate their relationship only for it to quickly turn into a nightmare.
When we meet Liv and Will things couldn’t be better for the happy couple. They are on a road trip ready to continue on this journey of love and happiness. Although they seem happy on the surface, we quickly learn that Liv is aware that Will is cheating on her. Shortly after, on a hiking trip, Liv and Will run into the woman he is having an affair with, Cara, and her boyfriend.
READ: Wilderness Season 1 Episodes 1-6 Full Recap
As a result of the series being only six episodes, the writers wisely don’t waste time ramping up the drama. Within the first episode, we had an idea of where we were heading in Liv and Will’s relationship. Following the revealing of an affair over the next five episodes, we get a murderous story that leads to lies, coverups, and even more death. How the show is set up, you won’t want to stop until you’ve consumed every episode.
The use of Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” is easily one of the better uses of a song in a TV show you will see this year. However, Music Supervisor Zoe Ellen Bryant‘s brilliant use of songs throughout each episode needs to be recognized come the next Emmy season.
Another standout here is the editing team. The creators wisely chose to make Wilderness only six episodes leading to not a single minute of story feeling unneeded. Of course, with the number of twists and turns, the editor’s ability to tightly bring each of them together was fantastic.
Will and Liv’s casting is equally crucial within the show. Oliver Jackson-Cohen caught my eye when he was in the Apple TV+ series Surface. Will is far from a likable guy throughout the show. Almost every single word that comes out of his mouth is a lie, but Jackson-Cohen does a great job of making you hate Will and never waver one bit.
Jackson-Cohen’s dancing partner in the series is Jenna Coleman, who plays Liv. In an alternate universe, Liv and Gone Girl‘s Amy Dunne would be best friends with Dunne needing to teach Liv a thing or two about how she handled the events that unfolded. Coleman understood the assignment of needing to deliver Liv’s multitude of layers, which made you empathize with her and even root some of the twisted things she was doing. Coleman is pitch-perfect in the role.
Is Wilderness Season 1 good or bad?
I don’t doubt there will be people who don’t love this series, but the audience that clamors for psychologically twisted thrillers will eat up Wilderness. The writing blends together all the good things of Gone Girl and Fatal Attraction leaving you guessing at every turn. The writers carefully crafted the story in a way that leaves the audiences wondering what they would do if they were in the shoes of these characters.
READ: Where was Wilderness on Prime Video filmed?
Another standout factor for audiences is the binge-worthy six episodes. The writers don’t try to overstay their welcome with extra storylines that aren’t needed. Instead, they introduce the stakes allowing the viewer to get invested early and keeping your interest throughout each episode.
Is Wilderness Season 1 worth watching?
Fans of twisted psychological thrillers will be pleased with what Wilderness brings to the table. It takes a familiar premise and adds some fresh twists and turns that will make the series a one-sit binge for audiences.
What did you think of Wilderness Season 1? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to Prime Video.
