The Wilderness is a 2025 American drama film written, directed, and produced by Spencer King. It stars Hunter Doohan, Lamar Johnson, Aaron Holliday, Matt Gomez Hidaka, Vinessa Shaw, Liana Liberato and Sam Jaeger. Aaron Paul and Amy Berg serve as producers.
It was released on October 17, 2025, by Dark Star Pictures.
Contents
Plot
A group of troubled boys are kidnapped from their homes and taken deep into the unforgiving Utah desert and forced to attend a wilderness therapy program. Cut off from the outside world, their only path home lies in gaining the favor of the cryptic program director—whose intentions are anything but healing. As rehabilitation slips into manipulation, the boys must choose: endure the program or find a way out.
Cast
Hunter Doohan as Ed
Lamar Johnson as Miles
Aaron Holliday as Levi
Matt Gomez Hidaka as Niko
Vinessa Shaw as Audrey
Liana Liberato as Charlotte
Sam Jaeger as James
Sean Avery as Rich
James LeGros as Arch
Production
Principal photography took place in Utah.
Release
In June 2025, Dark Star Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film. It was released on October 17, 2025.