Wilson

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2:13

Wilson

R

Released Mar 24, 2017

1h 34m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

29%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Feeling lonely and isolated, Wilson (Woody Harrelson) tracks down Pippa (Laura Dern), the ex-wife who left him 17 years earlier. She tells the neurotic and middle-aged misanthrope that he is the father of a teenager named Claire (Isabella Amara). Shocked, excited and hopeful, Wilson embarks on a madcap quest to connect with the daughter he never knew he had.

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Critics Consensus

Woody Harrelson delivers a solid performance as Wilson's titular grump, but the movie surrounding him can't quite manage to make the character's sour outlook consistently relatable.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Despite the mordant humour and the full-throttle chaos of Harrelson's performance, we struggle to connect with any emotional truth here.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 11, 2017

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

It struggles to fill the big screen, either emotionally or visually, and after a while Harrelson's say-it-as-it-is persona becomes irritating.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 9, 2017

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Director Craig Johnson (who also dealt with middle aged angst in his previous film, The Skeleton Twins) has a nicely matter of fact way of showing Wilson's tribulations.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 7, 2017

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Lauren Bradshaw

Fangirl Freakout

Harrelson and Dern's performances inevitably outshine their source material, as the film's sloppy third act will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Rated: D+

Nov 5, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Harrelson, who over the last decade has built himself up into one of our best supporting players, is just fine as Wilson. There's no doubt the actor would have taken the character to greater extremes, but that's not what's asked of him.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 17, 2021

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

Wilson has more than a handful of solid moments, but they are peppered between fairly stock observations about the way the world works, and how everybody tends to screw everybody else when given the chance.

May 6, 2020

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Mikael H

The graphic novel could have translated into a very different film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

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Gareth v

Middle of the road movie. Maybe the character of Wilson works best in a graphic novel format.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

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Audience Member

It's OK. Elements work really well, and others don't

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Wilson is it interesting little film that pretty much exceeds off the great performances. Woody Harrelson is great in this role. Unfortunately I feel the writing in this movie could’ve been better. The movie wants to go for the comedic edge but it’s afraid to make that leap. If the story in writing or a bit better this would’ve been an amazing film. As it is it’s still a good movie with good performances and some laughs but you’ll notice it’s flaws.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/27/20

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Audience Member

Totally blindsided by this one. I never even heard of this, and then looking at reviews, it sounded dismal. But I instantly fell in love with this movie. I love how hilariously blunt Harrelson is in this. He's off-putting, but there's a certain charm to his honesty. The film makes a lot of dour observations of the world and people, but still manages to find some heart, as Wilson just struggles to find a connection. I think I relate to this character a little too much. That kind of worries me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/20

Full Review

Audience Member

It was a decent movie but far from being comedic. The movie chooses Wilson's overly truthful personality as it's comedic point,where honestly I just felt bad and embarrassed for. The movie was practically depressing in every single aspect,and instead of getting a good laugh,I got a bucket of tears.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Craig Johnson

Director

Woody Harrelson

Wilson

Laura Dern

Pippi

Judy Greer

Shelly

Margo Martindale

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Cheryl Hines

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Synopsis

Feeling lonely and isolated, Wilson (Woody Harrelson) tracks down Pippa (Laura Dern), the ex-wife who left him 17 years earlier. She tells the neurotic and middle-aged misanthrope that he is the father of a teenager named Claire (Isabella Amara). Shocked, excited and hopeful, Wilson embarks on a madcap quest to connect with the daughter he never knew he had.

Director: Craig Johnson
Producer: Mary Jane Skalski, Jared Goldman
Screenwriter: Daniel Clowes
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Ad Hominem Enterprises
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language Throughout)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $653.0K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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