What We Wanted (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
What We Wanted is a 2020 drama directed by Ulrike Kofler, starring Lavinia Wilson as Alice, Elyas M'Barek and Maria Hofstätter. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $7,177 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Ulrike Kofler
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is What We Wanted About?
The premise of What We Wanted without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Seeking respite at a beautiful Sardinian resort, a couple finds their relationship tested by the challenges of starting a family. As they grapple with fertility struggles and contemplate their future, the arrival of a lively and disruptive family next door intensifies the strain on their marriage, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their bond.
What We Wanted Themes & Keywords
· 28 tags- sardinia
- suicide attempt
- neighbor
- female nudity
- wanting to have a child
- wanting a baby
- child wish
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- sex scene
- sex in public
- astrology
+16 more Show fewer
- reference to astrology
- astrology enthusiast
- zodiac sign
- reference to a zodiac sign
- reference to pisces the astrological sign
- reference to pisces the constellation
- reference to virgo the constellation
- virgo the astrological sign
- reference to gemini the constellation
- reference to cancer the constellation
- reference to sagittarius the astrological sign
- astrology believer
- title directed by female
- male female relationship
- family relationships
- couple
What We Wanted Cast & Characters
Lavinia Wilson leads the cast as Alice, with Elyas M'Barek as Niklas and Maria Hofstätter as Gynecologist. Directed by Ulrike Kofler; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ulrike Kofler
-
Lavinia Wilson as Alice -
Elyas M'Barek as Niklas -
Maria Hofstätter as Gynecologist -
Anna Unterberger as Christl
Also Starring in What We Wanted
· 6 more- Lukas Spisser Romed
- Klaus Huhle Camper
- Tina Haller Receptionist
- Iva Höpperger Denise
- Marta Manduca Sabrina
- Fedor Teyml David
More from Ulrike Kofler
One more film directed by Ulrike Kofler: Gina.
What We Wanted Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate What We Wanted 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).
What We Wanted Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, What We Wanted presents a sensitively directed character study, though its methodical pace limits universal engagement. Critics appreciate the film’s patient exploration of an infertile couple and commend its subtle emotional rhythm, while many viewers find the narrative’s slow unfolding overly meandering. The mixture of thoughtful performances and deliberate pacing yields a balanced but uneven impact. The film succeeds in depth but may leave audiences divided on its tempo.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of visual craft, the film demonstrates a refined aesthetic coherence. Critics highlight the cleverly composed shots and consistent production design, and several viewers praise the scenic framing and striking photography. A minority note some uneven editing that slightly disrupts flow. Overall, the film maintains a compelling visual identity that reinforces its thematic tone.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film offers compelling performances. Reviewers note the leads’ nuanced portrayals and the careful attention to the couple’s internal conflicts. Audience responses vary, with many commending authentic interactions while a few find limited dialogue development. Overall, the film’s strong acting anchors its intimate emotional focus.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative unfolds at a deliberate speed that divides opinion. Critics find the relationship arc engaging and modestly insightful, but many viewers criticize the slow-burning structure and perceive moments of meandering. While the story maintains thematic consistency around infertility and emotional strain, its measured rhythm may challenge broader engagement.
- Sensory Experience 70
When evaluating the sensory experience, the film delivers a cohesive soundscape and visual style. Several viewers praise the atmospheric soundtrack and effective sound design, while critics observe the understated musical cues that amplify emotional beats. Visual motifs and color palettes maintain consistency, enhancing the film’s immersive quality. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative’s contemplative tone.
- Rewatch Factor 40
In terms of rewatch value, the film’s reflective mood and subtle nuances appeal to niche viewers but offer limited incentive for repeated viewings. Some appreciate the delicate emotional layers revealed over time, yet many find the slow pace and restrained narrative insufficiently engaging to revisit. Consequently, the film’s lasting appeal remains modest and tailored to a specific audience.
-
IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd
What We Wanted Plot Summary
What happens in What We Wanted from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Alice Lavinia Wilson and Niklas Elyas M’Barek are a married couple living in Austria whose dream of starting a family has been crushed by a string of failed IVF attempts. The weight of infertility casts a quiet, stubborn shadow over their days, turning even shared moments into tests of patience and closeness. In a bid to escape the emotional grind, they choose a vacation on the sunny coast of Sardinia, hoping the sea breeze might offer a different rhythm for their relationship.
Full summary
The whole story of What We Wanted, scene by scene
What We Wanted Box Office
What We Wanted grossed $7,177 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.2K
- International
- $7.2K
What We Wanted Trailers & Videos
The trailer of What We Wanted.
How Well Do You Know What We Wanted?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which sunny coastal destination do the main characters choose for their vacation?
What We Wanted Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “La vida que queríamos” and “Der Lauf der Dinge”.
- Also known as
-
- La vida que queríamos
- Der Lauf der Dinge
- Quando a Vida Acontece
- La vita che volevamo
- La vie que nous voulions
- 가질 수 없는
- Smysl života
- Czego naprawdę chcemy
- Mit akartunk az élettől
- 人生況味
- Про що ми мріємо
- 我们曾经想要的
+6 more Show fewer
- Ne Diledik?
- Αυτό Που Θέλαμε
- En oväntad vändning
- Điều Hai Ta Mong Muốn
- מה שרצינו
- 夫妻百味
Seen What We Wanted?
Movies Like What We Wanted
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Careful What You Wish For, All We Ever Wanted and By the Sea.
What We Wanted FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of What We Wanted, each answered in a sentence.
How long is What We Wanted?
What We Wanted runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was What We Wanted released?
What We Wanted was released on November 11, 2020.
Who directed What We Wanted?
What We Wanted was directed by Ulrike Kofler.
More films by Ulrike Kofler Who is in the cast of What We Wanted?
What We Wanted stars Lavinia Wilson as Alice, Elyas M'Barek as Niklas and Maria Hofstätter as Gynecologist, among 10 credited actors.
How much did What We Wanted make at the box office?
What We Wanted grossed $7,177 worldwide.
How is What We Wanted rated?
What We Wanted has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 59% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Does What We Wanted have a post-credit scene?
No. What We Wanted has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is What We Wanted in?
The original language of What We Wanted is German.
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