Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky father-daughter adventure with peril, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Bookworm
What's the Story?
In BOOKWORM, 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher) is a bookish New Zealand tween with a fascination for stories and the Canterbury Panther, an urban legend about a large cat lurking in the region. After a household accident puts her mother in a coma, Mildred's estranged father, illusionist Strawn (Elijah Wood), arrives from the United States. Mildred convinces him to take her on a camping trip to search for the legendary panther, hoping to win $50,000 in a national photo contest by capturing its image. But Mildred isn't impressed by her magician father, and their newly formed bond is tested by a series of unexpected challenges.
Is It Any Good?
A surprisingly touching and zany Kiwi adventure, Bookworm explores the magic of father-daughter bonding in the wilderness. Fisher's portrayal of Mildred is both sharp and flawed—she can be an insufferable know-it-all at times, but she's also brilliant, determined, and courageous. She doesn't suffer fools, and her barely known father, Strawn, initially seems like one. Wood, with his well-known doe eyes and guileless demeanor, is perfectly cast as a D-list illusionist who once worked with David Blaine. But Strawn isn't a smarmy, self-absorbed magician; he genuinely wants to connect with Mildred, even when she insults him.
Director/co-writer Ant Timpson skillfully integrates the search for the Canterbury Panther into the story while subtly adding a layer of peril once kidnappers—and the panther—appear. Though the movie's adventure theme is prominent, the screenplay also delves into the deeper aspects of the story, including the mending of a fractured father-daughter relationship and a young girl's evolving understanding of her parents. Despite the tense moments, the film is full of dry humor, with even the villainous characters offering amusing moments. Bookworm is an original and affecting film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of peril in Bookworm. Is the threat of violence necessary to the story? How does it impact the characters?
Why do you think Mildred is so unimpressed with Strawn? What changes about their relationship throughout the story? What does her calling him "dad" signify?
How prepared is Mildred for the camping trip compared to Strawn? What are the consequences of not being adequately prepared?
Do you consider anyone in the movie a role model? Why? What character strengths do they display?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 18, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : October 18, 2024
- Cast : Elijah Wood , Nell Fisher , Michael Smiley
- Director : Ant Timpson
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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