The Woodsman (2004)
85%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: 7 wins & 20 nominations
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
The Woodsman” is a movie that will make you feel all sorts of emotions – disturbed, creeped-out, sorry, and even moved. Kevin Bacon delivers a solid performance as a former pedophile struggling to lead a normal life. It’s a haunting piece of acting that will leave you thinking about it long after the credits roll. The movie is not perfect, but it’s a powerful film that tackles one of the most difficult subjects a film could tackle. Overall, “The Woodsman” is a really intelligent and amazing piece of real filmmaking that will leave you with a lot to think about.
Production Company(ies)
Liberty Films,
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexuality, disturbing behavior and language
Year of Release
2005
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 29m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 2004 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 12, 2005
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $4,678,405
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $7,129,811
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,067
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 777,515
US/Canada gross: $1,576,231
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,402,150
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,988
US/Canada opening weekend: $53,985
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $82,272
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,013
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Kyra Sedgwick – Vickie
Eve – Mary-Kay
Yasiin Bey – Sargent Lucas
David Alan Grier – Bob
Benjamin Bratt – Carlos
Director(s)
Nicole Kassell
Writer(s)
Nicole Kassell, Steven Fechter
Producer(s)
Lee Daniels
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
7 wins & 20 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (133) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (117) | Rotten (16)
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.
January 10, 2018
Sheila Johnston
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
A lean and unapologetic piece about a type of person too often rendered in simplistic ‘monster’ colors.
April 8, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
[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.
January 27, 2005
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
A courageous and often moving drama.
January 26, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Jamie Russell
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
An involving, intense but ultimately confused portrait.
January 21, 2005 | Rating: 2/4
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
To watch this picture is to feel, and what you’re feeling is an intense swirl of conflicting emotions — disturbed, creeped-out, sorry, and, yes, even moved.
January 21, 2005 | Rating: 3/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
It is not a perfect film, yet it is a powerful film that tackles one of the most difficult subjects a film could tackle.
September 27, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
I have no doubt that Kevin Bacon delivers a solid performance in ‘The Woodsman’. [Full review in Spanish]
August 7, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
It’s a haunting piece of acting, certainly Bacon’s best to date.
April 23, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Miles Fielder
The List
A really intelligent and amazing piece of real filmmaking…
April 29, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
Debut director Nicole Kassell compassionately explores the troubled psyche of a former pedophile struggling with inner demons and external obstacles to lead a normal life.
April 16, 2009 | Rating: A-
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review…
Plot
After twelve years in prison, Walter arrives in an unnamed city, moves into a small apartment across the street from an elementary school, gets a job at a lumberyard, and mostly keeps to himself. A quiet, guarded man, Walter finds unexpected solace from Vickie, a tough-talking woman who promises not to judge him for his history. But Walter cannot escape his past. A convicted sex offender, Walter is warily eyed by his brother-in-law, shunned by his sister, lives in fear of being discovered at work, and is hounded by a suspicious local police officer, Detective Lucas. After befriending a young girl in a neighborhood park, Walter must also grapple with the terrible prospect of his own reawakened demons.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
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