Bookworm

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2:16

Bookworm

Released Oct 18, 2024

1h 43m

Adventure

Comedy

Kids & Family

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

60%

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

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

Rated: 3/5

Nov 6, 2024

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Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (LAist)

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

Oct 24, 2024

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 18, 2024

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Rebecca Sayce

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

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.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 24, 2025

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Cody Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

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.

Rated: 9/10

Jul 18, 2025

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

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

Rated: 3/5

May 23, 2025

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Antony D

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".

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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Jim G

"I don't like America because assault weapons." Don't visit then. Don't lecture us either.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

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venn r

"I can't say I'd want my under 15 year old watching a bloodied girl screaming because her legs are trapped under a tree trunk, resorting to poisonous mushrooms that numb her body and make her hallucinate." That's what my eleven year old son said after we watched this movie together. I also was shocked & failed to see the family friendly comedy in that scene. It was completely uncalled for. And that was followed by a car crash. I really wasn't in the mood by then to see humor there, either.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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nina n

Very charming, with little sparks of welcome incongruity popping up here and there throughout the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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Michal S

This has got to be one of the most insufferably boring movies ever made... Complete waste of time.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Susannah Z

Wow I cannot believe this didn't get better user reviews...yes it had some flaws (in my opinion) but the overall story was lovely and the actress EASILY steals the show. Elijah is a professional but she is extraordinary and had me laughing a lot. Great feel good movie with a good ending. Finding that a rarity these days. Highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

Full Review

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Ant Timpson

Director

Elijah Wood

Strawn Wise

Nell Fisher

Mildred

Michael Smiley

Actor

Morgana O'Reilly

Zo

Nikki Siulepa

Dotty

Bookworm: Exclusive Movie Clip - Levitating

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Bookworm: Trailer 1

2:16

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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: Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 43m

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