The Wilde Girls (2025) Review

The Wilde Girls is a plucky indie comedy with plenty of heart, ambition, and a generous helping of green screen. Set in 1932, it follows two pampered sisters, Tinsley and Mattie Wilde, whose fortunes crash with the stock market. Forced to survive in the untamed wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, they exchange fur coats for muddy boots and learn a thing or two about resilience, their relationship with one another, and how to appreciate a life not driven by wealth and materialistic pursuits.

Directed by Timothy Hines, the film aims to channel classic screwball comedies. At times, it does succeed. The dynamic between Tinsley and Mattie, played by Lydia Pearl Pentz and newcomer Cali Scolari, carries the story. Their sibling banter is the heart of the film, and Pentz, in particular, delivers a charming performance. The character of Tinsley begins as overbearing and cartoonishly self-centered, but she grows more tolerable as the plot unfolds. Mattie, the narrator and the more grounded of the two, is the audience’s anchor.

The premise is clever and feels ripe for satire. Watching clueless heiresses bumble through survival in the woods has potential, and there are scattered laughs throughout. Hines also deserves some credit for managing to evoke a vintage look with limited resources. The costumes and dialogue generally feel true to the era, and there are inspired visual touches like sepia filters and soft lighting.

Still, for all its energy and charm, The Wilde Girls struggles to rise above its indie trappings. The visual effects are distracting, often relying on digital elements that clash with the tone and texture of the scenes. These elements take the viewer out of the story and make the film feel uneven and sometimes unintentionally silly.

The supporting cast delivers fun and entertaining performances. Teddy Smith brings gruff charm as Silas, the rugged mountain man who reluctantly becomes the sisters’ guide. The assassin character named Button, played with awkward British flair by Matt Silver, is entertaining as well. Additional characters like Helena and Larry serve their limited purpose and add to the overall entertainment value.

At nearly two hours, the film runs too long for an indie screwball comedy. A tighter edit might have helped sharpen the comedic beats and reduce the visual fatigue. Still, the film manages to pull at the heartstrings by the end. It finds emotional footing in its themes of sisterhood, personal growth, and the search for meaning beyond wealth.

In the end, The Wilde Girls is a well-intentioned but flawed effort. It has some genuinely funny moments and a lot of heart. Viewers in the mood for a light survival comedy with a vintage twist will find it worth the watch, as long as they do not mind a few bumps along the trail.