To Kill a Wolf

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To Kill a Wolf

Aug 2025

1h 32m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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27 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

On the fringes of the Oregon wilderness, two strangers with troubled pasts are brought together when a reclusive WOODSMAN discovers a teenage runaway, DANI, hypothermic and barely conscious in the woods. After saving Dani from the elements, The Woodsman begrudgingly agrees to return the teen to her grandmother and the two become unlikely travel companions. As they make their way across the state, they forge an unexpected bond, delving into their pasts and testing their willingness to trust one another. Ultimately, with each other's help, they come to face the demons that haunt them and discover a way to start their lives anew.

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

What Taylor illustrates... is a sensitive portrait of guilt, of the difference between people who simply want to bury it and those that are consumed by it. Her sympathy for those caught in its warm, familiar pain is what fills To Kill a Wolf with life.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 21, 2025

Full Review

Clint Worthington

RogerEbert.com

In stripping down the Red Riding Hood fable to more terrestrial environs, ‘To Kill a Wolf' finds stronger, more delicate ways to sell the simmering psychology of its original fable.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 1, 2025

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Tim Grierson

Screen International

Marked by strong, reserved performances -- and deeply compassionate to its soulsick characters -- this quietly absorbing drama has secrets in store, each of them revealed with uncommon elegance.

Aug 19, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Taylor made a stunning debut and embedded a message without sacrificing the artistry or exploiting the survivor unlike a lot of more well-known, well-funded films being released this week (“Eleanor the Great,” “One Battle After Another”).

Sep 28, 2025

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Daniel Gorman

In Review Online

Theaters mostly don’t exhibit films like this anymore. It’s a shame, as this is exactly the kind of movie we need more of.

Sep 6, 2025

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

The acting and overall look of the film are strong while a few issues can be found in the writing and direction, but in general, it’s a decent watch once one forgets the fairytale connection.

Aug 28, 2025

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Erika C

Gorgeous cinematography, compelling storyline.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Chris

Superb, well-crafted & enjoyable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

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Harris R

Not sure why the critics are saying this is a modern day "Little Red Riding Hood", as it's not even close to that fabled story. This movie was way too slow and so poorly paced, that the normaly short 92 min runtime felt like I was watching a 3 hour movie. The directing and screenplay was horrible, with too much focus on insignificant details. It's like going to a restaurant and ordering steak and potatoes and getting a plain salad. This story has been told many times before, but much better, with more depth, more details, and with more substance and suspense. There were way too many long, dragged out and convoluted scenes, that I would've enjoyed this more as a short film. Clearly all the 9 & 10/10 reviews are bogus so don't get fooled and expect some gripping and suspensful thriller likle I did, as you'll be disappointed as I was. Nevertheless, I'm giving it a very generous 5/10 all going to the outstanding casting and performances, and the gorgeous cinematography.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

Full Review

Mike S

This film reminds you why indie movies are special. It's a beautifully written, directed, produced, acted and shot drama about tragedy, regret and empathy. Everyone delivers in this true indie gem!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Alex I

Thoroughly enjoyed! Beautifully filmed and was really impressed with the cast. Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/12/25

Full Review

Brittany Nicole D

Cozy, like a warm cup of tea. This movie is such a curl-up-and-slow-down kind of film. The nature shots were so alluring, from the crisp, cold air to the earthy smell of the forest, it truly felt like I was right there in the woods with them. The storyline kept me intrigued, always wondering what was going on and who was who. That bit of mystery is exactly what made it so captivating. I definitely recommend this film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

Full Review

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Kelsey Taylor

Director

Maddison Brown

Dani

Michael Esper

Carey

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The Woodsman

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To Kill A Wolf: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

On the fringes of the Oregon wilderness, two strangers with troubled pasts are brought together when a reclusive WOODSMAN discovers a teenage runaway, DANI, hypothermic and barely conscious in the woods. After saving Dani from the elements, The Woodsman begrudgingly agrees to return the teen to her grandmother and the two become unlikely travel companions. As they make their way across the state, they forge an unexpected bond, delving into their pasts and testing their willingness to trust one another. Ultimately, with each other's help, they come to face the demons that haunt them and discover a way to start their lives anew.

Director: Kelsey Taylor
Producer: Adam Lee, Kelsey Taylor, Ricky Fosheim, Zach Golden
Screenwriter: Kelsey Taylor
Distributor: All the Better
Production Co: Moo Studios, Detention Films, Slated, Hungry Bull Productions, All the Better
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 32m

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