"Bookworm" is a warm, chaotic, laugh-out-loud adventure that somehow still manages to sneak in a punch to the gut when you least expect it. Directed by horror veteran Ant Timpson, this heartfelt family tale of an estranged father-daughter duo features Elijah Wood as Strawn Wise, a magician who couldn’t pull a rabbit out of a hat even if his life depended on it, and Nell Fisher as Mildred, a whip-smart, no-nonsense bookworm with big dreams and an even bigger attitude, is as quirky as it is shamelessly sweet.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves: Strawn Wise is no Gandalf. His magic tricks are abysmal, his jokes are dad-level cringe, and his entire personality screams “midlife crisis.” But Elijah Wood somehow makes him endearing, like a puppy that keeps tripping over its own feet. Then there’s Mildred, who dreams of adventure, freedom, and maybe, just maybe, having her mom around more. When her mother winds up in a coma after a freak toaster incident (yes, really), Mildred’s only option is her estranged dad. Cue an awkward reunion and the kind of chemistry that’s as awkward as it is heartwarming.
The plot kicks into high gear when the pair set off into the New Zealand wilderness to find the elusive Canterbury Panther—a mythological beast with a cash reward attached. Mildred, of course, has her practical bookishness to rely on, while Strawn has... optimism? Questionable card tricks? And his ability to levitate? What follows is a hilariously chaotic journey filled with slapstick mishaps, snarky comebacks, and some truly stunning wilderness cinematography.
But the magic of "Bookworm" isn’t in its jokes or even its plot—it’s in the relationship between Strawn and Mildred. Their initial dynamic is all friction, with Mildred rolling her eyes at her dad’s antics and Strawn trying (and failing) to impress her. Yet, as the movie unfolds, you see glimpses of something real. Beneath the laughs and the awkward bonding attempts, there’s a story about two people learning to let go of the past and build something new together.
This is a film about messy, imperfect relationships and the surprising ways we find connection. It’s about making peace with the past and embracing the future—even if that future involves camping in the wilderness with someone who can’t pitch a tent to save their life. In short, "Bookworm" is pure magic—even if Strawn’s tricks aren’t.
8/10
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