A pretentious 11-year-old goes on a camping trip with her illusionist camper in search of a reclusive panther in Bookworm. Mildred (Nell Fisher) is an 11-year-old New Zealand girl excited to go on a camping trip with her mother Zo (Morgana O’Reilly) to find proof of the mythical Caturbury Panther and collect a $50,000 reward. However, Zo is electrocuted in a freak accident and hospitalized in a coma, resulting in Mildred’s absentee illusionist father Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) flying in from Las Vegas to look after her. Strawn takes Mildred on her camping trip, as the two experience some reluctant bonding.
Bookworm Synopsis
Bookworm is the sophomore directorial effort from filmmaker Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy), reuniting him with star Elijah Wood. The film also stars talented child star Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) as a lead protagonist Mildred, who is smart beyond her years, though she could be a bit pretentious. While in the wilderness in the search for The Canturbury Panther, Mildred and Strawn come across the seemingly friendly couple of Arnold (Michael Smiley) and Angelina (Vanessa Stacey), who turn out to have alterious motives.
My Thoughts on Bookworm
Due to its setting in the New Zealand wilderness, Bookworm is a family-friendly father-daughter adventure that is most reminiscent of 2016’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople. While the film is a departure from the decidedly more R-rated fare produced or directed by Ant Timpson, Bookworm still has an edge to it, putting Midred and Strawn into very real peril at times, as well as the subplot with Michael Smiley’s Arnold, which turns downright disturbing. The main takeaway of Bookworm is how the film is a star-making vehicle for young actress Nell Fisher, who has a big career ahead of her.
