Wilderness is a thriller series about a British couple. This mystery drama is set in New York and other scenically rugged locales – Grand Canyon, Arizona, Las Vegas, etc. in the USA.
Additionally, it is based on B.E. Jones’ novel, which is a gripping psychological thriller about one angry wife’s revenge against the love of her life, her husband.
Summary (synopsis) of this 2023 thriller series
The perfect marriage.
The dream trip of Liv (Jenna Coleman) and Will (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is shattered when Liv discovers her husband’s dark secret. What lengths will Liv go to to seek revenge?
The perfect trip.
A dream holiday becomes a nightmare for a young British couple who seemingly have it all.
The perfect place for an accident?
Follows a twisted love story, where a “happily-ever-after” life quickly turns into a living nightmare.
Review of the Wilderness (2023) series
About its basic storyline
The two main characters are the British couple Liv ( Jenna) and Will (Oliver) in this crime show. Both of them seemed so joyous, happy, contented and so deeply in love.
Then, we hear the famous pop song “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift in its title sequence (its lyrics and video link shared below) setting up the mood – something is wrong.
Initially, we thought, that Liv and Will seemed to have it all: a rock-solid marriage; a glamorous new life in New York (USA) thousands of miles from their provincial hometown in the United Kingdom. And still young enough to feel that their whole lives were ahead of them. Until Liv learns about Will’s ongoing affairs. As a result, her innocent heart breaks into a million pieces and they are in for bigger trouble in paradise.
They embark on a trip across to mend their broken relationship, across America, from the road trip from the panoramic Grand Canyon to Yosemite National Park then head to hedonistic Las Vegas and return to their safe home in New York. But then, Liv’s broken heart cannot be unbroken and mended by the wandering Will.
Thus, we learn, that Liv and Will are not the perfect couple.
They have lots of marital issues in their lives.
So, the bad times are coming.
Look what you made me do
We loved its title song “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift, but who doesn’t? Rather interestingly, this song is apt as it reveals the emotional turmoil of Liv in its lyrics.
I don't like your little games Don't like your tilted stage The role you made me play of the fool No, I don't like you I don't like your perfect crime How you laugh when you lie You said the gun was mine Isn't cool, no, I don't like you (oh!) But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time I got a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined I check it once, then I check it twice, oh! Look What You Made Me Do | Taylor Swift's song | Wilderness | Prime Video | YouTube Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me... Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams I'm sorry But the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead (oh)
The conclusion
In addition, all the actors – Jenna Coleman (Liv), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Will), Ashley Benson (Cara), Eric Balfour (Garth), Claire Rushbrook (Caryl), Talia Balsam (Bonnie), etc. have done a good job in it. We liked this revenge drama with somewhat of a satisfactory ending for the wife. Furthermore, this song by Taylor Swift is apt and fits perfectly with its plot.
In a certain way, it reminded us of the Gone Girl movie. However, we shall keep the suspense going, by not sharing its detailed plotlines, unexpected twists and expected turns in this series. In case, you are interested in learning more about the story of this series, you can check a few more extra spoilers shared below.
As it has only six episodes, it is a perfect show for a marathon watch, and this is what we did. But, like us do it only on Saturdays, okay.
Spoilers Alerts – episodes & ending of this 2023 thriller series explained
Peek into the six episodes of this show
1. Happily Ever After
With an enviable flat in the heart of glamorous New York and a passionate marriage, British newlyweds Liv and Will are enjoying the American dream; however, a terrible secret threatens to ruin the fairytale.
With an envious apartment in glamorous New York, an intensely passionate marriage, and the promise of the perfect life together, British newlyweds are living the American dream.
2. The Other Woman
Liv and Will arrive in Yosemite, but the shocking appearance of Cara derails Liv’s plan.
3. Repent at Leisure
Liv wakes to the crushing realization of what she has done.
4. Home Sweet Home
Liv tries to escape the results of the Vegas trip as the detectives get closer to the truth.
5. Like Mother, Like Daughter
Liv’s mother Caryl arrives from Wales and brings with her some difficult questions.
6. Where White Knights Go to Die
Liv’s toxic pact reaches boiling point with the stage set for a dark showdown.
The ending of this series explained
In one of the heart-breaking scenes in this show, the wife Liv comes across the proof that her husband Will is straying and carrying on with the extramarital affairs.
Liv Finds Out Will is Cheating | Wilderness | Prime Video | YouTube
That one video changes Liv’s outlook towards Will and her married life. Then, Will takes Liv on a holiday across the United States of America, so that they get another chance to mend their broken relationship and re-discover their lost love for each other. However, Liv’s and Will’s efforts do not go exactly as they had planned.
So, who was murdered? Cara?
Will’s love affair with Cara (Ashley Benson) ends when Cara is found murdered under tragic circumstances by the police. You can check out this video clip about Cara.
What Happened to Cara? | Wilderness | Prime Video | YouTube
After many twists and turns in the story, hurt and aggrieved wife Liv manages to turn the tables on her philandering husband Will, as he ends up in jail for killing Cara.
When Liv confessed to Will
However, in one of the critical scenes of the last episode of this series, Liv visits Will inside the prison and their lengthy conversation goes something like this:-
Will: You know, I didn't kill her (Cara). Liv: How -- how do I know? Will: Because you did... Don't worry, darling... I couldn't get my head around it at first either... You, my biddable, pliable wife...As if you had it in you... And then I remebered...Right before everything with Garth (Cara's partner - Eric Balfour), you said the strangest thing... You said, "I am sorry." Liv: That's your evidence. (Then she scoffs at him)
In the chat, Liv drops a few literal bombshells and discloses that she is going to become the mother of Will’s child. Then their emotional discussion goes on:-.
Will: Why? Just answer me that. Why kill her (Cara)? Liv: Because I thought it was you.
That confession by Liv enrages Will, so, he lunges towards her maybe trying to manhandle her. But then the prison guards take away Will and the meeting ends.
One more road trip by Liv
Later, we see Liv embarking on the same road trip on the Grand Canyon in a Jeep. In addition, we hear the monologue by the Liv, which goes like this:-
Liv: The wronged wife. The irrational woman. The Harpy*. The Bunny-Boiler**. I am all of these things. And all of these things are me. (* Harpy - a rapacious monster described as having a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws or depicted as a bird of prey with a woman's face.) (** Bunny-Boiler - a woman, who is considered to be emotionally unstable and likely to be dangerously vengeful.) Liv: I am your everywoman. I am your heroine. I am your villain. I am whoever you want me to be. Or I was.
The above lines were from the manuscript, titled ‘Wilderness’ which narrates Liv’s own story. In this text, she dedicates this story to her mum, as Liv writes “For my mum – you were right, it’s never safe.” With tears in her eyes, her mother sighs, perhaps after reading her dedication to her story in the said manuscript.
Liv’s monologues hit the right notes
The series ends with Liv revisiting the place where Cara was killed unintentionally. The scene of the crime.
Ranger: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Careful there honey. Someone went over not long back. What she was doing out on her own, I will never understand. Silly girl. Liv: Would have to be her fault, wouldn't it? (scoffs) Too much makeup. Too flirty. Too available. Walking home without a man to protect her. Of course she was asking for trouble? Haven't we always been? Does it ever occur to you, where any of this ends? It ends with us reaching the end. The end. The end. The end of our tether. And where does that leave us? We become the thing to be scared of. We become the fucking wolves. (she speaks with tears rolling down her cheeks).
The end.
Key details of this 2023 thriller series
| Genre | Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Original language | English (UK & USA) |
| Released in | September, 2023 |
| Season | One (1) |
| Episodes | Six (6) |
| Creator | Marnie Dickens |
| Director | So-Yong Kim |
| Cast | Jenna Coleman (Liv), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Will~William), Ashley Benson (Cara), Eric Balfour (Garth), Claire Rushbrook (Caryl), Talia Balsam (Bonnie), etc. |
| Taglines | Look What He Made Her Do. |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
Poster of this 2023 thriller series
FM’s rating of this 2023 thriller series
| FM’s ratings | 3.50/5 |
| FM’s short comment | It is an interesting show that narrates an intriguing tale of a scorned wife, who launches merciless revenge against her husband and succeeds. |
Trailer of this 2023 thriller series
If you like this kind of revenge drama from the UK, then go ahead and read the article about Bad Sisters in our Focus Magazine, too.
Featured Image and Poster of the Wilderness (2023) Show | Amazon Prime Video.