Wildhood

Continuity, dialogue, and acting are somewhat inconsistent. The young boy's gauze eye patch somehow survives a raucous swim to remain in place for days (with variable appearances from day to day). Some aspects of the script are excellent, but some exchanges are so cliched that actors struggle to stay genuinely in character. That's all easy to overlook because some aspects of the acting and some shots are powerfully real, AND the overall arc is meaningful. This movie tells a good story, and I can well imagine many sorts of young people enjoying it thoroughly and being anxious to discuss it afterwards. Reaching the end of my review, I realized.

Wildhood is more than just a road trip movie-it's a beautifully intimate exploration of self-discovery, culture, and love. As Link (Phillip Lewitski) and Pasmay (Joshua Odjick) navigate their journey, the film captures every moment with a quiet, poetic honesty that feels both raw and tender. Their chemistry is effortlessly natural, making their evolving bond feel deeply authentic. What stands out is how the film weaves Indigenous identity into the narrative without force-it's simply part of who they are, shaping their paths in ways that feel organic and deeply personal. It's a rare, heartfelt coming-of-age story that makes you feel like you're living it alongside them, every step of the way.

A 2-spirited teen drags his younger brother along, as he escapes their abusive father and searches for their mother. Along the way, he meets people who help him become acquainted with his Mi'kmaw heritage, and to express his sexuality.

This is a good 1st feature by the writer-director. However, the film is a bit too long, the leads are a bit too slender, and the coincidences seem a bit stretched. See it if you are interested in the themes, otherwise skip it.

No special effects here. Just a beautiful story about 2 brothers who escape an abusive home to look for their mother. On the journey, they find a friend. Like the soundtrack too!

The acting, score and cinematography is stellar. Story wise it's also really good. It is one of those rare films where I wanted the story to continue. It perfectly balanced the intersectionality of identity, culture, heritage and family. This is cinema done well and I look forward to seeing the main leads in upcoming projects.