🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Fritz Böhm
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 32min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (15K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A sheltered girl discovers she’s a werewolf-ish creature, leading to a messy family reunion and a cross-country trek to see the pretty lights.
🍿 Wildling: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Confined Childhood
Anna grows up in an attic, raised by ‘Daddy’ who keeps her locked away, warning her about the monstrous Wildling outside. He tells her the world outside is dangerous and only he can protect her. She is given daily injections to prevent her body from maturing, making her believe she is sick and dying.

Freedom and Discovery
After ‘Daddy’ dies by suicide, Sheriff Ellen Cooper rescues Anna. Anna is introduced to a normal teenage life, living with Ellen and her brother Ray. She attends school, experiences her first period, and learns about life outside the attic. She begins to form a bond with Ray, discovering attraction and connection.

The Transformation Begins
As Anna experiences puberty, strange things start to happen. Her teeth fall out, she craves raw meat, and she discovers heightened senses. A man known as the Wolf Man stalks her in the forest. During a party, after kissing Ray, her transformation begins accelerating. She escapes to the woods, where she accidentally kills a classmate attempting to assault her.

Unveiling the Truth
Anna learns she is a Wildling, a creature her ‘Daddy’ had been trying to suppress. Flashbacks reveal that ‘Daddy,’ whose real name is Gabriel Hanson, spared her as an infant and raised her instead of killing her. Hunters, led by Deputy Roger Fowler, pursue Anna, fueled by a historical hatred of the Wildlings.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Anna (Bel Powley): A teenager who spent her childhood locked away and discovers she is a Wildling, a creature of the forest.
- Daddy (Brad Dourif): A mysterious man who raises Anna in isolation, hiding her from the world and his own secrets.
- Ellen Cooper (Liv Tyler): A small-town sheriff who rescues Anna and tries to help her adjust to a normal life, unaware of her true nature.
- Ray Cooper (Collin Kelly-Sordelet): Ellen’s teenage brother who befriends Anna and develops a romantic relationship with her.
- The Wolf Man (James Le Gros): A grizzled, enigmatic figure living in the woods who knows the truth about Anna’s origins.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Daddy: “Do you want me to tell you about the Wildling? His teeth are long and sharp like this. And so are his nails. Long and sharp like this.” – Daddy tells Anna a bedtime story about the Wildling, emphasizing its frightening features to keep her fearful of the outside world.
- Ellen Cooper: “You’re not sick. You’re a woman.” – Ellen says this to Anna when she experiences her first period, reassuring her that menstruation is a natural part of growing up.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Unknown
- Domestic Gross: Unknown
- Worldwide Gross: $504,718
💥 Wildling Reviews
Personal Review
I was drawn in by the premise of ‘Wildling’. Bel Powley’s performance is captivating, making you truly believe in her sheltered upbringing. The film takes some unexpected turns, and while the ending felt a little rushed, I appreciated the exploration of identity and belonging. There are moments of genuine suspense and some great visuals, especially the scenes in the woods. I found myself really empathizing with Anna and her struggle to understand her true nature. It’s a film that stays with you after the credits roll.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of coming-of-age stories with a dark twist”
- “Viewers interested in werewolf mythology and creature features”
- “Those who enjoy independent horror films with strong female leads”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and gore”
- “Sexual assault themes”
- “Teenage sexuality”
- “Self-harm (suicide)”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While ‘Wildling’ has some interesting ideas about identity and transformation, the execution is uneven. Bel Powley delivers a strong performance, but the film struggles to balance its horror and coming-of-age elements effectively. The visuals are striking, but the plot often feels predictable.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Wildling’ boasts solid performances from Powley and Tyler, but the script lacks depth. The film hints at deeper themes of societal fears and female empowerment, but these are never fully explored. Ultimately, it’s a visually appealing but narratively thin genre piece.
Audience Reactions
Bel Powley’s amazing acting made the whole film enjoyable, even with a predictable plot.: Viewers consistently praise Bel Powley’s performance as Anna, noting her ability to portray both vulnerability and ferocity.
The movie starts strong but the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying.: Many agree that the initial premise is intriguing, but the film loses steam in the final act, with some calling the ending abrupt and underdeveloped.
Overall Consensus: ‘Wildling’ is a visually appealing film with a strong lead performance, but it suffers from a predictable plot and uneven pacing.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The cave scenes were shot in a warehouse in Brooklyn, using a large blue screen to digitally integrate the cave background rather than building an artificial set.”
- “Bel Powley, who plays Anna, was 26 years old at the time of the film’s premiere, despite portraying a teenager.”
- “Although Bel Powley’s character Anna is seen eating meat in the film, Powley is a vegetarian in real life.”
🖥️ How to Watch Wildling?
As of October 2024, Wildling is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services that may offer the movie in your region. You may also find it available for purchase on DVD or Blu-ray from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Wildling, you might like these similar films:
- Ginger Snaps (2000): Both films explore similar themes of puberty as a monstrous transformation and feature a female protagonist grappling with her changing nature.
- Let the Right One In (2008): This film shares a thematic similarity with Wildling, exploring the story of a child monster and the dynamic of isolation, protection, and the loss of humanity.
- Raw (2016): Raw also depicts a young woman’s unsettling transformation and awakening of primal instincts, making it a modern equivalent in the body horror subgenre.
🛒 Wildling Related Products
- Wildling Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official ‘Wildling’ movie poster. Perfect for fans of the film and collectors of movie memorabilia.
- Werewolf Costume – Adult Size: Unleash your inner ‘Wildling’ with this detailed werewolf costume. Complete with faux fur, mask, and claws.
- The Book of Werewolves by Sabine Baring-Gould: A scholarly exploration of werewolf folklore, history and myths.
🎧 Soundtrack
Wildling features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
In the context of the movie, a Wildling is a creature with animalistic traits, resembling a werewolf. They are strong, feral, and tied to nature. The film explores the idea of whether they are inherently monstrous or simply misunderstood.
‘Daddy,’ Gabriel Hanson, kept Anna locked up to protect her from society and to suppress her Wildling nature. He feared what she would become if she embraced her true self, and he believed he was saving her by controlling her development.
The ending signifies Anna embracing her true identity and finding freedom in the wild. It also suggests the cyclical nature of life and the potential for the Wildlings to continue. Ellen and Ray’s decision to let her go represents acceptance and a recognition that Anna belongs in the world she has chosen.
🔥 Bonus Content
He fed his daughter vegetables only, for 16 years so thatttt…. | Wildling 2018 explained in Hindi
Want to understand ‘Wildling’ but prefer Hindi explanations? This video breaks down the entire movie, exploring the characters and plot twists. Honestly, it’s way easier to follow along with this explanation!
For 10 Years, Parent Fed Their Child Anti-Mainstream Food to Hide Their True Nature
Confused about what exactly happened in ‘Wildling’? This recap is perfect for getting the main points of the story without having to rewatch the entire movie. I personally found it cleared up a few things I missed!
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