In Theaters October 17, 2025
THE WILDERNESS
About the Film
The Wilderness follows a group of troubled teenage boys who are kidnapped from their homes and taken deep into the Utah desert, where they're forced into a brutal "wilderness therapy" program.
Cut off from the outside world, their only path home requires earning the approval of a cryptic program director whose intentions are far from therapeutic. As the line between rehabilitation and manipulation blurs, the boys must decide whether to endure the program or escape it.
This film aims to raise awareness about institutional harm and advocate for youth rights and constructive alternatives to institutionalization.
Cast & Crew
Director & Writer
Spencer King
Producers
Aaron Paul, Amy Berg, Lily Blavin, Spencer King, Ali Edwards, Larissa Beck, Hunter Doohan
Distributor
Dark Star Pictures
Starring
Hunter Doohan, Lamar Johnson, Liana Liberato, Vinessa Shaw, Sam Jaeger
Our Partners
Unsilenced is “the voice of youth rights,” a nonprofit organization committed to ending institutional abuse within the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) through advocacy, education, and the pursuit of justice.
Their mission is to stop institutional harm by empowering self-advocates to create lasting social change. They envision a world where youth are free from institutionalization and the voices of young people are respected in the development of their own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The Troubled Teen Industry
A network of unregulated wilderness therapy programs, boot camps, and behavior modification facilities that often subject youth to harmful treatment rather than evidence-based care.
120,000 - 200,000
Youth sent to facilities annually
tHOUSANDS
Of congregate care facilities
hundreds
Of documented program deaths
under-regulated
Many programs operate
without proper oversight
Warning Signs of Harmful Practices
Physical, verbal, and sexual abuse
Isolation from family and friends
Forced hard labor
Deprivation of sleep, food and other basic needs
Attack therapy and group humiliation
The use of behavior modification techniques such as levels or phases
Improperly accredited education
Programs that recommend kidnapping or “transporting” youth against their will
Resources & Support
Access comprehensive resources from Unsilenced to learn more, find support, and take action for youth rights.
Find Screenings Near You
The Wilderness is coming to theaters nationwide on October 17, 2025. Find showtimes and purchase tickets at a theater near you.
