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Synopsis
In the gripping 2020 crime drama Wish, directed with a keen eye for emotional nuance, we delve into the life of Kazuto Ishikawa, a talented architect whose seemingly perfect family life begins to unravel. Kazuto is married to Kiyomi, and they navigate the trials of parenthood with their high school son, Tadashi, and middle school daughter, Miyabi. However, after a soccer injury sidelines Tadashi, he starts to drift away from his family, often spending nights out without a word. As tension builds within the family, their worst nightmare comes to fruition when Tadashi goes missing, coinciding with the shocking murder of one of his classmates. With the police now questioning their son’s possible involvement, Kazuto and Kiyomi are thrust into a harrowing search for the truth that challenges their perceptions of family loyalty and the fragility of their domestic bliss.
Wish intricately explores themes of parental anxiety, the pressures of adolescence, and the quest for truth in a web of suspicion. Kazuto’s character arc is particularly compelling as he transforms from a proud architect into a desperate father, grappling with the fear of losing his son not just to the law, but to the dark forces that surround youth. The film masterfully balances the tension of crime with the emotional depth of a family in crisis, inviting viewers to ponder how well we truly know those we love. With its layered narrative and poignant performances, Wish offers a thought-provoking examination of the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children, and the haunting question of how well we can shield them from the world's dangers.