Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Wildcat

Play trailer 2:43 Poster for Wildcat R 2022 1h 46m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
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.
Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

Where to Watch

Wildcat

Wildcat

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Amy Nicholson FilmWeek (LAist) 01/18/2023
It becomes really loving, although it doesn't have a lot of "oomph." It's just sweet scenes, one after another. Go to Full Review
Donald Clarke Irish Times 01/03/2023
3/5
Wildcat remains a tense, diverting study of a man struggling with internal demons while doing his best for an initially helpless creature. Go to Full Review
Manohla Dargis New York Times 12/30/2022
[The filmmakers'] choices make this would-be redemption narrative feel unfortunately and uncomfortably exploitative. Go to Full Review
Linda Cook OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois) 03/03/2023
4 stars
"Wildcat" is beautiful ... everything a documentary should be, with a big heart for animals and people alike. Go to Full Review
Soham Gadre Film Inquiry 01/28/2023
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. Go to Full Review
Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope 01/27/2023
B
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. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Guy 01/08/2023 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. See more Carol 01/03/2023 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 See more Amy T Jul 17 Took me through all motions. It crushed my hart and made my soul cry for him, for the animals, for all places on Earth filled with wonders, but held under human terror! Poachers with ice in harts, moneygulping entrepreneurs just seeing $, not beauty. It’s a deep - if you have any kind of depth perception at all! - story that should take you into reflection over your own possibilities to help preserving and restoring the Earth instead of destroying. We are ALL part guilty for how the world has come to look today. Those who says “it’s just another sweet story” are cold, blind jerks! See more Daniela T 01/19/2024 Really moving. A who is saving who story. See more Ranny L 07/07/2023 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! See more Timon V 05/23/2023 A documentary that sticks with you and is not afraid to offend or frustrate. It just shows a piece of life, pure and unveiled ... This is how a documentary should be. See more Read all reviews
Wildcat

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Father Soldier Son 91% 73% Father Soldier Son Watchlist TRAILER for Father Soldier Son Every Body 98% 96% Every Body Watchlist TRAILER for Every Body The First Wave 98% 82% The First Wave Watchlist TRAILER for The First Wave Stutz 96% 96% Stutz Watchlist TRAILER for Stutz Navalny 97% 89% Navalny Watchlist TRAILER for Navalny Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Producer
Melissa Lesh, Trevor Frost, Joshua Altman, Alysa Nahmias
Distributor
Amazon Studios
Production Co
Harmonium Pictures , 30West, Unbound Films, Ajna Films, Emerging Earth Films
Rating
R
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 30, 2022
Runtime
1h 46m
Most Popular at Home Now