The Woodsman

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The Woodsman

R,

2004,

1h 29m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

88%

126 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

126 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After 12 years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns home. Few people know he's a sex offender and pedophile. Walter finds an apartment where he's regularly visited by his parole officer (Mos Def). He gets a job at a lumber mill and starts seeing a coworker (Kyra Sedgwick). Then his new world begins to unravel. As his past becomes known, he begins a high-risk friendship with a young girl and realizes that a man loitering near a schoolyard is a child molester prowling for his next victim.

Critics Consensus

Kevin Bacon's performance as a pedophile who is trying to start fresh has drawn raves from critics, who have praised the Woodsman as compelling, creepy, complex and well-crafted.

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Sheila Johnston

London Evening Standard

Jan 10, 2018

Often cast in high-energy, borderline manic roles, Bacon creates here a sad, lank-haired, introverted character who doesn't fish for sympathy and, for that very reason, and against all odds, ends up winning it.

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

Jan 27, 2005

[Ms. Kassell and Mr. Fechter] trick up Walter's character with so many conflicting moods and impulses and then place him within a post-prison society that is itself alternately oppressive and permissive.

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Jamie Russell

BBC.com

Jan 26, 2005

3/5

A courageous and often moving drama.

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Oct 21, 2022

It’s well-made and haunting, and I’m glad it wasn’t longer.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 27, 2020

3.5/4.0

It is not a perfect film, yet it is a powerful film that tackles one of the most difficult subjects a film could tackle.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Aug 7, 2020

7/10

I have no doubt that Kevin Bacon delivers a solid performance in 'The Woodsman'. [Full review in Spanish]

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Hermione W

Jan 22, 2019

1.22.19 dvd @ home w/Sh & J

Theodore R

Jan 16, 2019

Kevin Bacon brings this tense portrait to life.

Han W

Nov 22, 2018

Kevin Bacon is a popular journey man actor and the Woodsman might be a very uncomfortable film to sit through but the actor must be lauded for even taking on the role. He plays a pedophile who returns home after many years to start life afresh. It is an uncomfortable role and even as a viewer it can make one squirm but if you like a good story and well-acted parts then this movie should be given a thought.

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Finn P

Nov 20, 2018

Kevin Bacon is a popular journey man actor and the Woodsman might be a very uncomfortable film to sit through but the actor must be lauded for even taking on the role. He plays a pedophile who returns home after many years to start life afresh. It is an uncomfortable role and even as a viewer it can make one squirm but if you like a good story and well-acted parts then this movie should be given a thought.

See more

Finn S

Sep 19, 2018

Kevin Bacon is a popular journey man actor and the Woodsman might be a very uncomfortable film to sit through but the actor must be lauded for even taking on the role. He plays a pedophile who returns home after many years to start life afresh. It is an uncomfortable role and even as a viewer it can make one squirm but if you like a good story and well-acted parts then this movie should be given a thought.

See more

Theodore G

Nov 7, 2017

Loved how one becomes understanding and empathetic towards him in the end.

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Nicole Kassell

Director

Kevin Bacon

Walter

Kyra Sedgwick

Vickie

Eve

Mary-Kay

Yasiin Bey

Sargent Lucas

David Alan Grier

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Synopsis

After 12 years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns home. Few people know he's a sex offender and pedophile. Walter finds an apartment where he's regularly visited by his parole officer (Mos Def). He gets a job at a lumber mill and starts seeing a coworker (Kyra Sedgwick). Then his new world begins to unravel. As his past becomes known, he begins a high-risk friendship with a young girl and realizes that a man loitering near a schoolyard is a child molester prowling for his next victim.

Director: Nicole Kassell
Producer: Lee Daniels
Screenwriter: Nicole Kassell, Steven Fechter
Distributor: Newmarket Film Group
Production Co: Dash Films, Lee Daniels Entertainment, The Woodsman LLC
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Behavior|Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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