Bookworm is a 2024 New Zealand adventure comedy film directed by Ant Timpson from a screenplay by Toby Harvard and Ant Timpson. The film is set to open in New Zealand on 4 July 2024.
11-year-old Middlered (Nell Fisher), who loves books and myths, lives with her mother in New Zealand and is particularly interested in the legend of the mysterious Canterbury Panther. After her mother falls into a coma due to an unexpected accident, she is forced to meet her father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) — an illusionist who has been absent from her life for a long time.
To help with her mother's medical and financial expenses, Middlered convinces her father to go on a camping adventure to photograph the Canterbury panther, a creature that could bring a reward of $50,000. Their journey is fraught with obstacles: encounters with tourists, lost equipment, scams and natural hazards. Finally, after many trials, Middlered manages to photograph the panther with a phone, allowing her to claim the prize and return to her family.
Ant Timpson relies on picturesque shots of New Zealand's mountains and nature—wild mountain ranges, streams, steep terrain—that emphasize both the beauty and ruthlessness of the landscape. The director's tone is slightly fantastical, with shades of fantasy myth and mythical creatures, but the balance between dream and reality is maintained through moderate humor and family conflicts.
„Bookworm“" is a charming and warm adventure drama about family, absence and return. If you like movies that aren't just about monsters and wildlife, but about relationships that change and mature — this movie will make you smile. It's not perfect, but it's a good fit for a family movie night.
