''River Wild'' is a 2023 American thriller film that is a

reimagining A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...

of the 1994 film '' The River Wild'' and a modern-day

standalone sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the sam ...

. It was directed by

Ben Ketai Ben Ketai is an American film director, writer, and producer. He directed and wrote the following Ghost House Pictures productions: '' 30 Days of Night: Dark Days'' and the webseries '' 30 Days of Night: Dust to Dust''. Career In 2010, the S ...

, from a script he co-authored with

Mike Nguyen Le Mike Nguyen Le (also credited as Mike Le) is a Vietnamese American screenwriter, producer, and film director. Screenwriting Le wrote and co-executive produced the feature horror film '' Dark Summer'' (2014) directed by Paul Solet and starring ...

. The film stars

Adam Brody Adam Jared Brody (born December 15, 1979) is an American actor, writer, musician, and producer. He is known for his breakthrough role as Seth Cohen on the Fox television series ''The O.C.'', which premiered in 2003. Subsequently, Brody appeared ...

Leighton Meester Leighton Marissa Meester (; born April 9, 1986) is an American actress, singer, and model. She is best known for her starring role as the devious socialite Blair Waldorf on ''Gossip Girl'' on The CW (2007–2012). She has also appeared in films ...

, and Taran Killam. The film entered principal photography commenced in July 2022 in Hungary, wrapping later that year. ''River Wild'' was released direct-to-home video through physical and digital release, on August 1, 2023.

Synopsis

Estranged brother and sister Gray and Joey Reese embark on a whitewater rafting trip amongst tourists with their childhood friend Trevor. Along the river, the events quickly turn from exciting to terrifying, as the group finds themselves trapped alongside a killer who is intent to sabotage the trip while keeping secrets from the past from being revealed. Joey must overcome her fears and work with her brother Gray to survive to the end of the river, before it's too late.

Cast

as Joey Reese * Taran Killam as Gray Reese *

as Trevor * Olivia Swann as Karissa * Eve Connolly as Van * Matt Devere as Walt * Nick Wittman as Max * Courtney Chen as EMT * Kiel Kennedy as James

Production

Development

In July 2022, it was announced that a feature film

of '' The River Wild'' had entered production, while principal photography had already commenced in Hungary by that time. Directed by

from a script he co-authored with

. Produced by Ogden Gavanski, the project is a Universal 1440 Entertainment production and will be distributed by Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. Though it was announced as a remake/ reboot by tabloids, the executives of the studio called the movie a "new ''The River Wild'' story" in the "universe" of the original indicating that it is a standalone-sequel taking place in a contemporary setting. Ketai later stated that the story, while similar and inspired by the first installment, would differ in how the events unfold over the story. While the events of ''The River Wild'' (1994) happen by circumstance with the Hartman family meeting the bad guys along the river, the events of ''River Wild'' (2023) would result from a pre-existing relationship and the tension that the group has. The filmmaker said "In our movie, the danger comes from within the group. ... t'sa more intimate and gritty story, but in the same exciting setting as the original."

Casting

The cast was announced in July 2022, to include

, Taran Killam and

. The trio of stars, who appear alongside a supporting cast, feature as the story's siblings Joey and Gary Reese, and their childhood friend Trevor, respectively.

Filming

Principal photography commenced in July 2022, with filming taking place in Eastern Europe including Hungary, Slovakia, and Bosnia. The cast and crew drove from location to location, with the cast receiving extensive training at an Olympic Games training facility in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia prior to the production commencement. Meester described the production as physical stating that the heat of summer, the cold of the river water, and the emotional subject matter as "challenging". She and real-life husband Brody stated that though they initially believed that filming the project might bring intensity home with them after work, they both found the process to be natural, easily switching off from their roles between takes, with relief that it didn't affect their personal lives. Meester stated that working with her husband "made every moment enjoyable and put erat ease", which also "gave eran innate sense of safety." Brody found the production to be fun, humorously stating: "But my absolute favorite part of filming was chasing Leighton through the woods at full speed." Killam stated that the physical preparation for the role made him feel prepared for the production, while comparing the training to that of his wife Cobie Smulders who has appeared in various action roles.

Release

The film was released on digital, DVD and Netflix on August 1, 2023.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, tt21291992 2023 films 2023 thriller films 2023 adventure films American horror thriller films Direct-to-video sequel films Films shot in Hungary Films shot in Slovakia Films shot in Bosnia and Herzegovina Universal Pictures direct-to-video films Universal 1440 Entertainment films