Careful What You Wish For poster

Careful What You Wish For

"Wanting her was his first mistake."

Movie R 2015 1h 31m 6.1 /10
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum

Doug Martin, an ambitious professional, starts a dangerous affair with Lena Harper, the wife of a powerful investment banker. What begins as a reckless fling quickly pulls him into a web of lies, secret alliances, and high stakes tied to money and prestige. The distance between temptation and... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 28, 2026

About Careful What You Wish For

Doug Martin, an ambitious professional, starts a dangerous affair with Lena Harper, the wife of a powerful investment banker. What begins as a reckless fling quickly pulls him into a web of lies, secret alliances, and high stakes tied to money and prestige. The distance between temptation and danger narrows as whispers of a suspicious death and a substantial life insurance policy ripple through their world, threatening to pull everyone involved into a widening scandal. With the pressures of desire colliding with consequences, Doug finds himself caught between self interest and accountability. As the stakes rise, the audience is kept on edge by the characters' tentative alliances and the film's clean, efficient visual palette.

Released in 2015 as a standalone drama thriller, the film was directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum from a script by Chris Frisina. It stars Nick Jonas and Isabel Lucas, with Dermot Mulroney in a key supporting role. Produced on a modest eight million budget, it leans on tight pacing and contemporary urban milieus to heighten suspense.

Box Office Box office details for this title are not widely disclosed, reflecting its limited release strategy and niche audience rather than a traditional wide theatrical run. Publicly available grosses are sparse, which suggests the film relied more on on demand and home viewing platforms than a big screen rollout.

Awards Awards The film did not receive major nominations, and there are no widely noted wins. Some critics highlighted the cast's restrained performances and Rosenbaum's efficient direction, but the film did not become a frequent award contender within the thriller or television movie circuits.

Reception & Themes The film frames temptation as a corrosive force that tests ambition and ethics, while building tension through intimate confrontations and sharp budgeted production. Nick Jonas and Dermot Mulroney anchor the drama with controlled performances, letting the story's moral fog linger without overdoing melodrama. The script avoids heavy sensationalism, opting for restraint that mirrors the characters' calculative minds.

Details

Release Date
May 06, 2015
Runtime
1h 31m
Rating
R
User Ratings
423 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Country
United States
Studio
Roberi Media +4 more
Budget
$8,000,000
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas

Doug Martin

Isabel Lucas

Isabel Lucas

Lena Harper

Dermot Mulroney

Dermot Mulroney

Eliott Harper

Kandyse McClure

Kandyse McClure

Angie Alvarez

Graham Rogers

Graham Rogers

Carson

Marc Macaulay

Marc Macaulay

Gordon

David Sherrill

David Sherrill

Brian Martin

Kevin J. O'Connor

Kevin J. O'Connor

Pier/Patron du bar

Paul Sorvino

Paul Sorvino

Sheriff Big Jack

Alex ter Avest

Alex ter Avest

Emma Shalloway

Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum

Written by: Chris Frisina

Frequently Asked Questions

Careful What You Wish For is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 6.1/10 from 423 viewers, Careful What You Wish For is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Doug Martin, an ambitious professional, starts a dangerous affair with Lena Harper, the wife of a powerful investment banker. What begins as a reckless fling quickly pulls him into a web of lies, secret alliances, and high stakes tied to money and prestige. The distance between temptation and dan...

Careful What You Wish For stars Nick Jonas, Isabel Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Kandyse McClure, and Graham Rogers.

Careful What You Wish For was directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum.

Careful What You Wish For was released on May 06, 2015.

Careful What You Wish For is a Drama and Thriller film.

Nick Jonas plays Doug Martin. Doug Martin is the central figure who becomes entangled in a dangerous affair that sets off a chain of suspicious events.

The drama thriller follows a man who begins an affair with the wife of an investment banker, which leads to a suspicious death and a life insurance scandal.

Isabel Lucas plays Lena Harper, the wife involved in the affair who becomes central to the film's conflict.

Dermot Mulroney plays Eliott Harper.