• Adventure
• Comedy
• Drama
• Family

Bookworm 2024

Bookworm is a 2024 New Zealand adventure comedy-drama film directed by Ant Timpson and written by Toby Harvard, based on a story by Timpson and Harvard. The film stars Elijah Wood as Strawn Wise, a washed-up American illusionist, and Nell Fisher as his estranged 11-year-old daughter, Mildred. The story follows the unlikely duo as they embark on a journey into the New Zealand wilderness in search of the mythical Canterbury panther. The plot begins when Mildred's mother is hospitalized after an accident, and her absent father, Strawn, flies in from the United States to care for her. To bond with his resentful daughter, Strawn reluctantly agrees to join her on a camping trip to find the legendary beast. Mildred hopes to capture footage of the panther, as the reward money would help pay her mother's debts. Their adventure takes unexpected turns, forcing them to confront both external dangers and their own fears and insecurities. Along the way, they meet a pair of suspicious hikers, adding a layer of suspense to their quest. Bookworm had its international premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 18, 2024. It was released in New Zealand by Rialto Distribution on August 8, 2024, and in the United States on October 18, 2024. The film has received positive reviews from critics, who have praised the strong chemistry between Wood and Fisher and the film's unique blend of childlike wonder and mature themes of family and fatherhood. Filming took place in the Canterbury Region's MacKenzie Basin over two months in 2023, showcasing the beautiful landscape of Southern New Zealand. Read More

• 2024
• 1 h : 44 min
• 1.0k views
• 5.847
• PG