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.
STARRING Elijah Wood Nell Fisher Michael Smiley
DIRECTOR Ant Timpson
WRITER Toby Harvard
PRODUCERS Emma Slade Roxi Bull Victoria Dabbs
Mette-Marie Kongsved Laura Tunstall
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Steve Demmler Blair Ward Anders Erdén Lauren Case
Kelly Rogers Kevin Gordon Elijah Wood Ant Timpson Toby Harvard
CO-PRODUCER Jake Rice
INTERNATIONAL SALES AGENT Mister Smith
AU/NZ DISTRIBUTOR Rialto
Territories Sold
USA (Vertical Entertainment), Canada, Baltic States, Eastern Europe, Ex-Yugoslavia, France, Israel, Italian Speaking Europe, German Speaking Europe, Middle East, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand
91% Tomatometer
“Ant Timpson’s heartwarming Bookworm is an effulgent love letter to ’80s kid cinema laced with a distinctly quirky, Kiwi dryness.”
Slant Magazine (Top Critic) RT
Ant Timpson’s latest is a joyous celebration of family, nature, and the power of a tenacious spirit. Perfect for families and grown-ups alike, Bookworm marks another triumph for Timpson and co.
THN - 4/5 stars
“Fearlessly specific in its comedy and just as attentive with its character arcs… it’s a triumph.”
indieWire - A-
“There's a retro-vibe about the storytelling and staging that is easy to love and everyone involved has clearly brought their very best work. Bravo – and take the whole family.”
Stuff NZ - 4/5