The Woodsman

Play trailer

The Woodsman

R

2004

1h 29m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

130 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Sheila Johnston

London Evening Standard

01/10/2018

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.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

01/27/2005

[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.

Go to Full Review

Jamie Russell

BBC.com

01/26/2005

3/5

A courageous and often moving drama.

Go to Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

10/21/2022

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

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/27/2020

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.

Go to Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

08/07/2020

7/10

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jason L

@jasonj.lynch3 Aug 17

This movie tackles a sensitive and dangerous subject while being respectful to its victims. Bacon and Sedgwick are natural in their chemistry, of course, but they do not get in the way of their roles. Bratt, Wayans, and Def hand in worthy supporting roles.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 23

Success in 1 hour and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Disturbing Behavior and Sexuality!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $1,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

David B

@RT75853206 02/12/2025

A very difficult, but compelling watch. I genuinely believe this may have been Oscar worthy but for the subject matter. Watched this some time ago as part of a film club (watch film go out for beer and curry and discuss.) My reading of the film differed from everyone else, as I did, and still do, believe that several of the minor characters could be seen as existing only in the mind of the central character, representing his own struggles with his offending and rehabilitation. Many, if not all of the supporting roles (both seen and not seen) can be seen as being part of Walter’s internal struggles. Might be utter fantasy on my part, but if you’ve watched it, watch again with this idea in mind- made sense to me at least !

See more

Gareth v

@geewah 06/18/2023

For such a difficult subject matter to make a movie about, this is done in an extremely thoughful manner. This is also one of Kevin Bacon's finest performances.

See more

Evan M

@RT28061058 04/08/2023

Good performances. Characters have nuance. However, writers could have done better at raising the stakes.

See more

Noel P

@RT80219132 01/22/2023

Impressed that the filmmaker was able to take a character so reprehensible and hated by our society and make him understandable and redeemable. What was even more impressive is that there is never an excuse given for the protagonist to explain away his crimes; as if the director was saying "he did what he did, there's no excuse for it, now let's get on with the story." Great writing, great directing, and Kevin Bacon's best performance.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Nicole Kassell

Director

Kevin Bacon

Walter

Kyra Sedgwick

Vickie

Eve

Mary-Kay

Yasiin Bey

Sargent Lucas

David Alan Grier

Bob

Loverboy

18%

36%

Loverboy

Watchlist

Assisted Living

76%

82%

Assisted Living

Watchlist

Little Fish

89%

57%

Little Fish

Watchlist

Keane

82%

70%

Keane

Watchlist

Soldier's Girl

88%

87%

Soldier's Girl

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Kevin Bacon’s Best-Reviewed Movies

Natalie Portman Will Do Naked in Next Film

Better Late Than Never: The Slamdance ’06 Awards!

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now