Wanderlust (2018) User Reviews

You're (not) Terrible, Muriel

[babyned · 8/10 · 17 September 2018]

This seems to have already struck a raw nerve with the Haters, but don't be put off, this is not anywhere near as bad as some people are saying.

Obviously, if you're looking for BBC Period templates like Downton Abbey, this is not for you, but if you want an intriguing and honest exploration of sexual desire, taboos and relationships in the modern age, then this ticks those boxes. Plus it's got Toni Colette and Zawe Ashton in it, what more could you want?

And the soundtrack is awesome too.

A Very Adult Comedy, for Grown Ups

[adamk-2 · 8/10 · 17 September 2018]

Make no mistake, this is not easy watching, as sexual topics are discussed frankly and openly and, through all of the frustration and failure, laughs are found.

The cast are all top-notch, but Toni Colette continues to astonish, with a perfect English accent, intonations and mannerisms and all, along with excellent comic skills and believable sexual tension. And it gets very, very tense, sometimes so awkward it becomes almost unbearable to watch. I can see why so many people have trouble with this!

The couple are faced with an age-old problem that most likely affects a majority of couples, and one which they are doubtless are too embarrassed to talk about. Because, really, how do you talk about something like this and still try to convince your partner that, while they might not do it for you sexually, you still very much love them?

It's an interesting premise approached in a very adult way, using humour to deflect the more crushing moments. I hope that the writers can, ahem, keep it up for the run.

Watch until episode 5

[viniciussix · 8/10 · 21 October 2018]

The episode 5 changes everything. The whole episode is a session of therapy that brings a lot clarity for the series. Also brings great interpretations.

Great drama about real life

[andrewdavidcox-18457 · 9/10 · 11 October 2018]

I am not normally moved to review on IMDB but this drama is really good. Unfortunately this was hyped by the programme makers and the media to be about sex and open marriages; however that is not the core of the story at all. It is about relationships at all different levels and across generations. It explores what works and what doesn't, how relationships can improve and fall apart, how first impressions definitely don't always count.

I think the script writing was very well crafted; each episode actually had a different pace to it that kept it interesting and watchable. It showed the difference between a proper serialised drama - where each episode can stand alone - and a drawn out epic where a story is told over 10 hours that could really be a 2 hour film.

Yes - as the poor reviews say the sex scenes are uncomfortable; but that is real life!! Lots of sexual relationships are entirely uncomfortable and not as typically portrayed in Hollywood. It makes this programme come across all the more convincing.

As for the comments on episode 5 - just watch it and make your own minds up. For me I felt it was very engaging and convincing and like a good book it gave the reader space to interpret things with their own mind rather than being spoon fed every emotion and thought.

Tragicomic comedy drama

[manugw · 6/10 · 11 April 2019]

A long time married couple both arrange to look for separate sexual encounters with other people outside marriage to save it. Will that work? What are the consequences for them and their children? This series carried out this daring idea. The subject is interesting but the screenplay for me was sloppy, confusing and sometimes boring. Turning from a sad comedy into a deep drama, with a backgroud of different ballads and pop themes to enhance meanings, also they relied on some contrived events. Give or take average.

Can not understand the 1/10 reviews!

[kdam-850-667617 · 10/10 · 3 October 2018]

"The Problem with Marriage is Women think Men will change and they don't and Men think Women won't change but they do..."

I think anyone who gives this a 1/10 either hasn't ever interacted with normal day to day people or is in a terribly boring marriage and sees so many similarities between the on screen couples and theirs that they feel threatened!

I honestly don't think I've ever seen real life couples, marriages and general interactions portrayed on screen as well and as humorously as this. Like when ever do you see foreplay on television? Either spoke about or visually... Usually people just kiss and magically jump straight into each other as though everyone's just walking around hot, wet and ready at any moment!

I thought the dialogue was brilliant with many laugh out loud moments and the use of long drawn out pauses in personal and some what embarrassing scenes really drew you in and made you feel it deep in your soul.

The Characters are bold and I honestly can't wait to see how they evolve. All I all a great, very refreshing show that I can wait to continue watching.

Californication with more subtlety

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 17 October 2018]

Very under-rated at 5.7. This is a very well made and sensitive series wth a lot of depth. What starts off as seemingly all about sex turns out to be very far from it. Outstanding performance by Toni Collette and well cast.

Looking at some of the less flattering comments I think it's one of those stories that needs to be watched over a couple of nights ( or if you have real stamina in one go) rather than in single episodes where certain intricacies between the characters may be lost. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Brilliant and refreshing TV series

[rachellalydia · 9/10 · 21 October 2018]

I absolutely love this series. I've watched 5 of 6 episodes and I'm savouring the last episode as I just don't want it to end. Nick Payne has done an incredible job of creating and writing this series. So well written, directed, shot, acted - all round a brilliant show and great production values. The cast are great. Best thing I've ever seen Toni Collette do. Must watch TV.

Started off brilliant.....but then not sure what happened

[mork_and_mindy · 7/10 · 29 October 2018]

First episode in, I knew I was instantly hooked on this show. Witty, funny, cringe-worthy, real to life - you bet! It was like this through Ep 1 to 4, but then episode 5 - what the hell happened, it bored me to tears, it's as if this was a fill-in, I just don't get it? If Ep 5 have followed on as all of the others, I would have given it 11/10. But somehow it lost it's way sadly. Toni Collette needs to appear in more TV shows she is just brilliant.

Are open relationships all that big a twist?

[her000 · 4/10 · 26 September 2018]

Oh, OK, so a couple in a stagnating relationship go down the open route. Hardly a novelty these days, unless you're a conservative mid-70s living in a small little town. How very handy that one of them is a therapist and can handle the awkwardness of the situation. And oh so very charming they brief their children about their arrangement. Because we all live in an uber modern and liberated world. And they can both find partners oh so easily and simultaneously so no one feels left out. And then the writers decide to go down the morality route. Jealousy starts creeping in, society starts judging, one gets more serious with the extra marital thing, whereas the other is more superfluous about it like a teenager. The teenagers surprisingly are more adults than the parents, but anyway. As an idea, it was interesting in the first 2 episodes, the next 2 were a bore and bog standard approach. Here's hoping the rest pick up and surprise.

Attracted by the fun. Captured by the depth.

[frachon-71531 · 10/10 · 1 November 2018]

This series made me laugh and cry. The portrait of this couple and their attempt to make their relationship work again, goes far deeper than filling the gap created by the loss of their sexual intimacy. Truly remarkable acting.

sexually inhibited English people

[subscriptions · 6/10 · 29 October 2018]

Ever watched a show that was so unenjoyable you just had to tell people?

To begin with, the name of the show is a lie. Wanderlust is an instinctive desire to travel and see more of the world. It's an instinct which I lack, but am interested in as a psychologist and a philosopher. So when I came across a British show about this instinct, I was delighted. But there is no trace of wanderlust in this series. A more fitting title would be "wandering lust", but that too would be ironic since there is barely any lust here either. However, the series is focused on sexuality.

What we see is a shockingly sexually repressed and inhibited culture. These people seem to have scooped all sexual instincts out of their brains and replaced them with society. They seem to never ask "what do I want" but always "what would be proper?" Seeing a young man having to ask his best friend after they finally made love whether she's okay with him putting his arm around her as they're lying next to each other in bed was tragic.

The word "Victorian" comes to mind. I feel like these people are barely human. 'Wanderlust' reminded me of 'The Lobster', which is surreal and utterly inhuman. Now that I look at it, Wikipedia says that 'The Lobster' was "a co-production by Ireland, the United Kingdom, Greece, France and the Netherlands". And now that I think of London as portrayed in 'Luther' starring Idris Elba, my heart goes out to British women. If that is indeed England, you need to hop across the pond to New York city. America is far more vibrant.

Toni Collette is only good thing..

[jakep0109 · 4/10 · 9 October 2018]

Toni Collette's performance is the only good thing about this show. Excellent in parts and very natural. The story is dull and show tries too hard to be controversial. Wouldn't watch it again

An exploration of how some people deal with grief

[alexandrastephenson · 9/10 · 22 October 2018]

It is clear to me the negative reviewers did not get far in watching this series. While the first few episodes might lead one to believe this series is an exploration of open relationships and the trauma of surviving an accident, as the series unfolds, so do the protective layers erected by the characters. Having recently lost a parent, I found myself relating to the content centered around how one processes grief and the sense of loss of identity our main character is experiencing is eerily relatable. This is a well crafted series with honest dialogue. At times I found the characters hard to relate to but as the series progress, motivations and destructive patterns of behavior are l revealed to both the audience and the characters, I found.them to.be more relatable. Watching this series with my husband definitely opened the door to insightful conversations. To appreciate this series I suspect one needs an open and self-reflective mind.

Ehh

[Jessicanu94 · 6/10 · 22 October 2018]

This show was not so great but ok. It was kinda lame

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT

[KNazarevskaia · 10/10 · 22 October 2018]

Everything about this show is "honest" and "real". The writing, the characters, the acting, the way the story is told. I am thoroughly enjoying every thread, every word, every tear, every misstep, every awkward reaction, every uncertain laugh. They are all examples of superb storytelling. Can't wait to follow these people on the next part of their journey.

An intricate depiction of relationships and personal growth

[ida-markgren · 7/10 · 5 March 2019]

This is definitely a show that starts out pretty flat and grows on you. The low scores must be from people who haven't really given the series a chance. Toni Colette is after this and hereditary one of my favourite actresses.

This series detects and analyses the real life struggles of relationships on a deeper level. How love is never stationary and somehow always is at the same time.

Misunderstood

[julienlegiletier · 9/10 · 17 November 2018]

Wanderlust is a lot more ambiguous and complex than people have seen it as. If confused and offended by it's first episodes, let it play out until the end, when everything becomes clearer and gains extra dimension. It is not, as many have suggested, a blatant criticism of marriage and the model of family life.

Not bad

[kygian · 6/10 · 17 November 2018]

The actors are very good but the plot sometimes lacks. The point is that it's difficult to be involved, only the last episodes show the "heart" of this series.

The first 4 episodes ...

[fchan79 · 5/10 · 21 October 2018]

I liked the first 4 episodes but found the last 2 very confusing and boring.

Excellent

[alex-jsc1995 · 9/10 · 19 September 2018]

Funny, illuminating, heartfelt, beautifully shot and edited, great soundtrack.

Wanderlust seems to be quite divisive due to it's subject matter (as shown by some of the rather over-the-top 1-star reviews), but I found it to be extremely touching, witty, and well-acted.

HIghly original, sometimes drawn out.

[jarveyjayes-89231 · 7/10 · 7 October 2019]

Steven Mackintosh is very very annoying. Not sure if it's because he's a good actor or a bad actor, certainly makes women's attraction to his character bewildering.

Gets worse with every episode

[araceliski · 2/10 · 9 November 2018]

Lacks content and a storyline. Poor dialogues. Very pretentious and trying to be intellectual, but seems to be written by teenagers. The conflicts of the secondary characters are shallow and nonexistent. The whole show could have been done in 90 minutus, and it would have still been too long.

Emotions, realationships, just stunning

[mario-furcic · 10/10 · 27 October 2018]

Lots of emotions played really really good...a scene where she realizes she loves him while listening to a song - you can really feel the realisation happening second by second just by looking at her face...the scene were she gets dissapoined and angry - you can feel it boiling inside and then just bursting outside...the episode with the psychotherapy is just stunning, real, you can feel her deep and burried emotions on your skin...i was drawn inside in a heartbeat and enjoyed the well played scenes, and the complexities of what is a marriage...

I guess even actors have mortgages and bills to pay.

[emmelleff-1 · 19 September 2018]

Awesome soundtrack? Only for the hearing impaired suicidal. And that's possibly the least of its shortcomings. Awful script, woeful acting and a lack of direction. As a comedy it's not funny and there's a limit to how much disbelief one can suspend for it to work as a drama. Expected more from Collette and Mackintosh, sadly about what I've come to expect from the bbc, joining other recent offerings such as Keeping Faith and the truly awful Age Before Beauty in the category labelled "complete waste of time, resources and licence payer's money." The "acclaimed" Bodyguard no better.