River Wild

River Wild

Year: 2023

Language: English

Director: Ben Ketai

AdventureThriller

A thrilling whitewater rafting adventure takes a dark turn when Joey and her brother Gray guide two tourists down a turbulent river. What begins as a fun excursion quickly becomes a fight for survival as they encounter hidden dangers and deliberate sabotage. The group must navigate treacherous rapids while confronting unsettling secrets and a malevolent force determined to keep the truth concealed, pushing their relationships to the breaking point.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – River Wild (2023)

Trace every key event in River Wild (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Rafting Adventure Begins

Brother Gray and sister Joey meet up with friends Trevor, Karissa, and Van for an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting. They set off on the river, eager to enjoy the thrill of nature and each other's company.

River
2

Swimming Break

The group briefly stops to swim and relax along the riverbank. They enjoy the refreshing water, take turns bathing, and share laughter around a campfire, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Riverbank
3

The Accident

During the campfire gathering, Van and Trevor step away, but chaos ensues when Trevor abruptly cries out for help, claiming that Van has fallen. Gray quickly tries to reach out for assistance but learns that the Ranger's phone is dead.

Campfire site
4

Medical Emergency

Van confides in Joey, revealing that Trevor attacked her and she suffers from a skull fracture. Joey, being in the medical field, realizes the severity of the situation and tries to manage Van's rapidly worsening condition.

5

Capsizing the Raft

As the group tries to navigate the river, Van experiences a seizure, causing panic among the group. Despite Gray’s desperate attempts to guide Trevor, the raft capsizes and everyone struggles to stay afloat.

River
6

The Truth Unfolds

Joey reveals to Gray that she suspects Trevor may have intentionally flipped the raft. She discloses Van’s confession of the attack, highlighting the growing tension about Trevor’s intentions.

7

Desperate Measures

With daylight breaking, the group attempts to reach the ranger for help. They find him, but when Trevor reveals his criminal past, he panics, stabs the ranger, and destroys any chance of calling for assistance, escalating the danger.

Ranger Station
8

Further Escalation

After murdering the ranger, Trevor threatens the group, demanding they row to Canada. The gravity of the situation intensifies as Van succumbs to her injuries, marking a tragic turning point for the friends.

River
9

Burial of Van

In a somber moment, the group buries Van along the river. Trevor ties up the remaining friends to prevent them from escaping, showing his ruthless control over the situation.

Riverbank
10

The Night Raid

Under the cover of darkness, a passer-by attempts to rescue the hostages but is shot down by Trevor. The group remains trapped under Trevor's menace, deepening their sense of hopelessness.

Campsite
11

The Escape Attempt

Karissa manages to take a Swiss army knife from the dead man and uses it to cut the ropes binding her. The girls plan to escape, motivated by the desperate need to survive and end Trevor's reign of terror.

12

Confrontation with Trevor

Gray attempts to fight back against Trevor but gets shot during the confrontation. Despite the danger, Karissa and Joey seize the moment to flee, determined to find help.

13

Divided Paths

As the girls run for their lives, they separate to escape Trevor's pursuit. Joey narrowly evades capture, while Gray is left severely injured, creating an emotional rift in their friendship.

River
14

Final Showdown

Trevor catches up with the fleeing girls, leading to a violent confrontation. In a desperate act, Gray sacrifices himself to save Joey, throwing Trevor into the river, while sadly succumbing to his own injuries.

River
15

Rescue

In the aftermath of the chaos, Karissa arrives with a helicopter, rescuing Joey. The harrowing ordeal comes to a close, yet the emotional scars and loss remain deeply felt among the survivors.

Riverbank

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

Unlock the Full Story of River Wild

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River Wild Summary

Read a complete plot summary of River Wild, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

River Wild Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in River Wild

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape River Wild. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in River Wild

River Wild Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of River Wild? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

River Wild Ending Explained

More About River Wild

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about River Wild: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About River Wild

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