Bookworm

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2:16

Bookworm

2024

1h 43m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

12-year-old Mildred's life is turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), 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.

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Critics Consensus

Recapturing the magic of vintage adventure yarns, Bookworm is an imaginative gem with a wholesome heart.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

Nov 6, 2024

3/5

This is a shameless heartstring plucker. But it’s charming and sometimes very funny.

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Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (LAist)

Oct 24, 2024

This is a movie where the quirk is cranked up to an eleven.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Oct 18, 2024

2.5/4

It sustains an innocent storybook tone throughout, thanks mainly to strong performances from its lead actors, Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher, and lush images of the New Zealand countryside.

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Rebecca Sayce

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Jul 24, 2025

5/5

Timpson and his team manage to bring to life a bizarre, quaint world of endearing oddballs in an adventure for a fabled creature, finding so much more along the way.

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Codie Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

Jul 18, 2025

9/10

Bookworm is a delightful journey that goes beyond being just another family movie; it captures the essence of imagination, connection, and the simple joys of childhood.

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

May 23, 2025

3/5

Things get a little intense in the final 10 minutes; nevertheless, it's a fine family charmer.

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George H

@georgieherge May 22, 2026

Great arty film. Beautiful cinematography, great acting from young Nell Fisher, humorous story with unexpected twists

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Lance J

@RottenUmbra Apr 2, 2026

Watched this a few months ago, around December or so. A good pass-time, heart-warming story as well. I will say, I'm a little bias since Nell Fisher is in it, but overall a good story, nothing extraordinary however. Plot twists when you least expect it.

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Colleen R

@Leeni Dec 24, 2025

Wonderful movie with great acting. It has humor and heart. Unique and charming, I loved it. I had to watch it again.

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Koi P

@hopepink Oct 17, 2025

The last 15 minutes of the film were somewhat enjoyable. The writer succeded in making the characters unlikeable. The scenery is beautiful. The antagonists were enraging. Not an enjoyable watch. Had potential.

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Jonas V

@Spukky Sep 22, 2025

I rather enjoyed this, was it a perfect movie, no not at all. But it was enjoyable. Great acting, a cozy getting to know her father story, with beautiful scenery. Must say not a kids movie.

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Antony D

@RT59319510 Aug 30, 2025

Don't be fooled by the trailer. This is not worth watching. It's painfully bad. I'm just curious about the high rating from Critics - I suppose there are different types of "Critics".

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Ant Timpson

Director

Elijah Wood

Strawn Wise

Nell Fisher

Mildred

Michael Smiley

Actor

Morgana O'Reilly

Zo

Nikki Siulepa

Dotty

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Synopsis

12-year-old Mildred's life is turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), 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.

Director: Ant Timpson
Producer: Roxi Bull, Victoria Dabbs, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Emma Slade, Laura Tunstall
Screenwriter: Toby Harvard
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Firefly Films
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 43m

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