Bookworm

"Adventure called her name... Unfortunately dad answered."

2024 1h 44m EN

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 91

AdventureFamilyComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Eleven-year-old Mildred’s life is turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise, comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness, and the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.

“Adventure called her name... Unfortunately dad answered.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon Prime VideoSubscription

Amazon Prime Video with AdsSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Nell Fisher
Mildred
Elijah Wood
Strawn Wise
Michael Smiley
Arnold
Vanessa Stacey
Angelina
Morgana O'Reilly
Zo
Millen Baird
Doctor
Nikki Si'ulepa
Dotty
Theo Shakes
Reginald

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ant Timpson
Writers: Ant Timpson, Toby Harvard, Toby Harvard
Languages: English
Countries: New Zealand, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: New Zealand, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ant Timpson, shot by Daniel Katz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Karl Sölve Steven. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Dan Kircher shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Nell Fisher and Elijah Wood and Michael Smiley carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Adventure called her name... Unfortunately dad answered.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt23472210 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ant Timpson directs. Daniel Katz behind the camera. Karl Sölve Steven scores. Dan Kircher cuts. Produced in New Zealand, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 2 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: New Zealand, United States of America.
3Directed by Ant Timpson, shot by Daniel Katz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Karl Sölve Steven. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Dan Kircher shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Nell Fisher and Elijah Wood and Michael Smiley carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Adventure called her name... Unfortunately dad answered.".
8IMDB entry: tt23472210 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 91 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Daniel Katz
Original score: Karl Sölve Steven
Editing: Dan Kircher
Production design: John Allan
Makeup / hair: Stef Knight
Runtime: 104 min · 1h 44m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Bookworm (2024)

Also by

Ant Timpson

Come to Daddy
2019 · ★ 5.9

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2024-09-15
★ 7/10
When a little domestic incident with the toaster sees her mum in hospital, the young "Mildred" (Nell Fisher) finds she is to be looked after by her dad. Thing is, she hasn't seen him before - ever, and so the arrival of the enigmatically clad "Strawn Wise" (Elijah Wood) who makes his living as an illusionist, proves distinctly underwhelming to this rather cynical young girl. He is keen to please, though, so when she suggests they go camping to try and spot a legendary black panther that's been marauding the countryside he readily agrees. Backpacks and camera at the ready, off they go on a trek that sees their relationship rather predictably, but entertainingly, evolve. Along the way, there's some scoring that's distinctly Morricone, they encounter the menacingly leprechaun-esque "Arnold" (Michael Smiley) and his sidekick "Zo" (Morgana O'Reilly) and there's plenty of adventure as they seek evidence of this big black cat (and earn the $50,000 reward that proof of it's existence brings). There's a jolly chemistry here between Fisher and Wood, the writing gives her plenty of opportunity for some sardonic wit and there is also an enjoyably mischievous joy emanating from a Wood who's clearly enjoying himself back in a NZ devoid or "Orcs". The cinematography shows off the countryside well and the whole story has something of the Children's Film Foundation to it. It's nice too see the emphasis of a film focus more on the script and the characters for a change, and with precisely no CGI and loads of mushrooms, this is quite good fun. Just how, though, did her legs get under that great big tree in the first place?

Production companies