Wildcat

R

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1 hr. 46 min.

Documentary

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List

92%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Wildcat follows the emotional and inspiring story of a young veteran (Harry Turner) on his journey into the Amazon. Once there, he meets a young woman (Samantha Zwicker) running a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, and his life finds new meaning as he is entrusted with the life of an orphaned baby ocelot. What was meant to be an attempt to escape from life turns out to be an unexpected journey of love, discovery, and healing.

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Critics Consensus

Although it raises some uncomfortable ethical quandaries, Wildcat is an affecting testament to the healing power of interspecies bonds.

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Guy

What an excellent film! A soul stirring documentary about the power of the human heart to heal from deep trauma through a loving connection with both animals and humans. Yet, at the same time, it shows our own limitations in our ability o heal others. Any one who has known the joy of a strong loving connection with creatures other than ourselves will be moved to the core of their own experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

Full Review

Carol

Excellent, a movie that presents loving, caring and attachment for both humans and animals. Realization of feelings, on all sides of the spectrum. PTSD AND DEPRESSION WELL REPRESENTED. Great Story. Yea

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Daniela T

Really moving. A who is saving who story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/24

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Elizabeth D

I really enjoy the first 2/3 of this film, but it loses me when it loses focus of Keanu. The problem with the human narrative is Harry doesn't have much of a character arc. He's suicidal in the beginning and he's still suicidal in the end, unsurprisingly after being left ALONE and ISOLATED deep in the jungle for 1.5 years. Probably not the best fit for this kind of project. I watched the film a second time with my parents and they had me turn it off with 20 minutes left. Harry saying "f***" every other word was too much for them. Far from My Octopus Teacher.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/23

Full Review

Sarah R

Although this movie was put together very well and had such an authentic and meaningful story - PLEASE for the love of god DO NOT watch this if you have ever struggled with self-harm, depression, or have a suicidal past. I was not prepared for the triggers in this film and was honestly astonished at how much they left in there. I have been in a better mental space recently and watching this really sent me down a spiral I was not hoping to fall down. Be careful!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/23

Full Review

Ranny L

Prepare to be inspired by a new documentary, Wildcat, directed and produced by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Beck Frost, which leaves viewers in a whirlwind of emotions and can turn your heart from empty to full at the drop of a dime. This is a film that you are not going to want to miss. Struggling with depression and PTSD as a result from his time spent as a British soldier in Afghanistan, young Harry Turner attempts to escape his world in order to restore peace to his troubled life. That escape lands him deep within the Peruvian Amazon where he teams up with American scientist Samantha Zwicker, and together they work diligently to save injured and orphaned wildlife at Hoja Nueva Rehabilitation Center. The film focuses mainly on the duo's efforts to rehabilitate and "re-wild" orphaned ocelots, and their work seems to put purpose back into their lives. Harry continues with his mental struggles throughout the film and, although his efforts at Hoja Nueva are helping him overcome these challenges, the film highlights for us that these struggles may never truly be defeated. There is so much to love and appreciate in Wildcat. The cinematography is terrific as it takes us to one of the most remote and biodiverse places on our globe, allowing viewers to get close up views of some incredible species of animals. The story demonstrates that beauty can indeed be woven into the lives of those who have dark days. And since I absolutely love cats and our family has been involved in cat rescue for many decades, I commend Harry and Samantha for their efforts in wildcat conservation and highlighting for us how difficult yet rewarding this line of work can be. Wildcat is a true masterpiece. There are so many important thoughts to take with you after watching the film, and yet the film's most important message is about hope and courage. Mental illness is a life threatening disease, but, with some hope and a whole lot of courage, someone suffering from this condition can learn to cope with their disorder. There is certainly also the message about the importance of conservation and the willingness to volunteer in order to protect and restore our fragile ecosystems. We need more wildlife warriors and this film just may be a call to action for those conservation minded people. Parents need to be aware of some adult language throughout the film and at times some of the scenes display some very dark moments for Harry. I give Wildcat 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Adults will also absolutely love this film. By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/23

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Melissa Lesh

Director

Trevor Frost

Director

Harry Turner

Self

Samantha Zwicker

Self

Melissa Lesh

Producer

Trevor Frost

Producer

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Wildcat: Trailer 1

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Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It becomes really loving, although it doesn't have a lot of "oomph." It's just sweet scenes, one after another.

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Wildcat remains a tense, diverting study of a man struggling with internal demons while doing his best for an initially helpless creature.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 3, 2023

Full Review

Manohla Dargis

New York Times

[The filmmakers'] choices make this would-be redemption narrative feel unfortunately and uncomfortably exploitative.

Dec 30, 2022

Full Review

Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

"Wildcat" is beautiful ... everything a documentary should be, with a big heart for animals and people alike.

Rated: 4 stars

Mar 3, 2023

Full Review

Soham Gadre

Film Inquiry

Wildcat, despite all its good intentions of stringing together the ‘beautiful’ parts of life on this Earth as a way to heal from its terrors, remains disappointing in keeping those terrors vague and distant.

Jan 28, 2023

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Filmmakers Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh have captured both a compelling human story and a wildlife story. The jungle is a scary place, with many dangers, but even darker dangers lie deep within the human soul, and both are explored in this film.

Rated: B

Jan 27, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Wildcat follows the emotional and inspiring story of a young veteran (Harry Turner) on his journey into the Amazon. Once there, he meets a young woman (Samantha Zwicker) running a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, and his life finds new meaning as he is entrusted with the life of an orphaned baby ocelot. What was meant to be an attempt to escape from life turns out to be an unexpected journey of love, discovery, and healing.

Director: Melissa Lesh, Trevor Frost
Executive Producer: Adriana Banta, Alexandria Bombach, Dan Friedkin, Micah Green, Trevor Groth
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: Harmonium Pictures , Ajna Films, Emerging Earth Films, 30West, Unbound Films
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 30, 2022

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