Where’s Wendy (2016) Review

Synopsis

Sean’s girlfriend, Wendy, disappears after a party, leading him, his friend, and her friend to investigate a local beach, uncovering a dark mystery as other girls also go missing, hinting at something sinister beyond a typical search.

My Thoughts on Where’s Wendy

Good Points

Gradual Tension

The story starts slowly and lets all the suspense grow with the consequences of the party and reckless decisions at the beginning.

Relatable Teen Behavior

The characters’ risky actions – wandering into the woods, taking unknown pills – feel pretty believable for their age, and this is written fairly well.

The Woods

The woods scenes are the best scenes, where the darkness and isolation are used effectively.

Some Creative Moments

There are flashes of inventive ideas, such as chase sequences and masked strangers, that hint at Chester’s potential.

Bad Points

Inconsistent Camera Work

There are scenes where the main character isn’t present but the footage continues, which kind of breaks the logic of the found-footage format.

Confusing Editing

Cuts and visual effects sometimes feel a bit overly polished or out of place, where you wonder who is filming and why.

Weak Story Payoff

Despite a solid enough setup, the story doesn’t deliver really much past that.

Tropes

A lot of familiar horror tropes..

Amateur Execution

The inexperience shows in the pacing, continuity, and storytelling..

Loss of Suspense

The tension established early soon becomes less effective as the movie progresses.

Clarity Issues

Plot details and character motivations was a bit confusing at times.

Final Thoughts on Where’s Wendy

Where’s Wendy is a pretty messy movie, but it has some flashes of creativity that hint at potential.

Overall I found it kind of a frustrating movie.