𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟’𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕)

“While the Wolf’s Away” (Spanish: “Cuando los lobos se alejan”) is a 2017 Mexican drama-thriller film directed by Joseph Hemsani. The movie blends elements of suspense and survival, set against the backdrop of an intense hostage situation.

In a remote and mysterious forest, a group of privileged teenagers is sent to a disciplinary camp for a summer of strict rules, team-building exercises, and “character-building” discipline. These adolescents come from wealthy, overindulgent backgrounds, where their parents feel they lack responsibility or resilience. The camp’s harsh regimen is meant to break their defiance and instill obedience.

The camp is run by a few strict adults who enforce order, but things take a dark and dangerous turn when the adults suddenly disappear under suspicious circumstances. Initially, the teenagers rejoice in their newfound freedom, treating it as a vacation from authority. However, their celebration is cut short when they realize the forest is not as peaceful as it seems.

A group of ruthless kidnappers descends on the camp with a plan to hold the teens for ransom, knowing they come from affluent families. Isolated in the wilderness, the teenagers are forced to rely on one another to survive. Their struggles bring out hidden strengths, weaknesses, and interpersonal conflicts, forcing them to face not just external threats but also the cracks in their own personalities and group dynamics.

While the Wolf’s Away is a gripping thriller that asks what happens when privilege collides with raw survival. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it provides a fresh take by incorporating social critique and the dynamics of modern youth. If you’re a fan of movies like Lord of the Flies or The Hunger Games, this might appeal to you.