Leave No Trace (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Leave No Trace is a 2018 drama directed by Debra Granik, starring Ben Foster as Will, Thomasin McKenzie and Dana Millican. It is based on My Abandonment by Peter Rock. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $7.7 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2019. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Debra Granik
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Bleecker Street
- Based on
- My Abandonment by Peter Rock
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Leave No Trace About?
The premise of Leave No Trace without spoilers, adapted from My Abandonment by Peter Rock. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A powerful story explores the repercussions of a $2.7 billion settlement reached by the Boy Scouts of America to compensate victims of sexual abuse. The narrative delves into the complexities of accountability and the struggle for redemption as the organization and the nation grapple with the profound consequences of past actions and the devastating impact on countless lives.
Leave No Trace Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- father daughter relationship
- veteran
- sleeping outdoors
- forest
- living off the grid
- nature
- life in the woods
- outdoor cooking
- social services
- woods
- trust
- living in the woods
+38 more Show fewer
- hungry
- new start
- military veteran
- based on novel
- homelessness
- teenager
- teenage girl
- family relationships
- survivalist
- survival
- ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
- starting a fire
- 13 year old girl
- trauma
- coming of age
- hunger
- foraging
- being watched
- tranquilizer
- necklace
- hiding place
- forestry
- building a house
- housing
- hopping a freight train
- freezing
- thirst
- wounded father
- head injury
- apology
- blues music
- money
- nightmare
- gun safety
- lighting a fire
- sleeping in nature
- hiding an object
- lodging
Leave No Trace Cast & Characters
Ben Foster leads the cast as Will, with Thomasin McKenzie as Tom and Dana Millican as Jean. Directed by Debra Granik; 17 actors are credited in all.
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Director Debra Granik
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Ben Foster as Will -
Thomasin McKenzie as Tom -
Dana Millican as Jean -
Jeff Kober as Mr. Walters
Also Starring in Leave No Trace
· 13 more- Dale Dickey
- Michael Draper Runner
- Ayanna Berkshire
- Isaiah Stone Isaiah
- Kyle Stoltz
- Ryan Joiner Tiffany
- Derek John Drescher Larry
- Erik McGlothlin K-9 Officer
- Jeffery Rifflard Vet at VA
- Peter James DeLuca
- Peter Simpson Police Officer
- Alyssa Lynn
- Lane Stiemsma
More from Debra Granik
More films directed by Debra Granik, best-rated first: Winter's Bone, Down to the Bone and Snake Feed.
Leave No Trace Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Leave No Trace 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 87/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (78).
Leave No Trace Echo Score Breakdown
Leave No Trace stands out for its quietly assured direction and emotionally compelling portrait of a father and daughter. Reviews highlight Debra Granik’s deliberate pacing and pared-down visual style, along with nuanced performances that convey depth without overt exposition. The story’s subtle ambiguities and restrained dialogue garnered admiration for its thought-provoking approach, though some viewers noted the slow unfolding and limited narrative closure. Overall, the film delivers a reflective and cohesive experience that lingers beyond its ending.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, Leave No Trace showcases disciplined direction and a harmonious visual framework. Critics and audiences commend Granik’s measured compositions and understated camera work that emphasize the natural setting. The editing favors unhurried sequences that support the film’s reflective tone, while production design subtly reinforces the characters’ isolation. This cohesive craftsmanship underpins the film’s immersive atmosphere.
- Character & Emotion 88
In terms of character and emotion, Leave No Trace benefits from deeply felt performances and layered relational dynamics. Reviewers note the compelling rapport between the father and daughter, conveyed through nuanced expressions rather than explicit dialogue. Both leads inhabit their roles with restrained intensity, fostering genuine empathy. This emotional subtlety gives the characters a lasting authenticity and resonance.
- Story & Flow 78
In terms of story and flow, Leave No Trace unfolds at a deliberate pace, emphasizing subtle narrative development over conventional plot mechanics. The film’s measured progression and open-ended moments cultivate thoughtful engagement, though some viewers found the ambiguity and minimal exposition challenging. This restrained storytelling yields an introspective rhythm that may not satisfy those expecting clearer resolutions but rewards attentive viewing.
- Sensory Experience 85
In terms of sensory experience, Leave No Trace delivers an immersive natural soundscape and a restrained musical accompaniment. Viewers and critics praise the film’s ambient audio design that captures environmental details, while the subtle score enhances mood without overwhelming the visuals. The muted color palette and consistent visual cohesion reinforce the contemplative tone, resulting in an understated yet evocative sensory landscape.
- Rewatch Factor 80
In terms of rewatch factor, Leave No Trace offers a contemplative experience that rewards repeat viewings. The film’s subtle character moments and layered visual details invite renewed attention, allowing new observations with each viewing. Though its deliberate pacing may limit its appeal to those seeking dynamic entertainment, its reflective nature and narrative ambiguities support lasting interest for attentive audiences.
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IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 83% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 68%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 88 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
282 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Leave No Trace Plot Summary
What happens in Leave No Trace from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Will, portrayed by Ben Foster, is an Iraq War veteran grappling with the heavy weight of PTSD as he strives to provide a semblance of stability for his 13-year-old daughter, Tom. They live in a secluded public park in Portland, Oregon, leading an incredibly minimalist existence filled with self-sufficiency and minimal human interaction. Together, they adapt to the challenging environment, honing skills that allow them to thrive in the wilderness, as Will teaches Tom survival techniques and drills for evading detection.
Full summary
The whole story of Leave No Trace, scene by scene
Leave No Trace Box Office
Leave No Trace grossed $7.7 million worldwide. $6 million came from the US and Canada and $1.6 million (21%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$7.7M
- US & Canada
- $6M
- International
- $1.6M
Leave No Trace Awards & Nominations
Leave No Trace earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2019. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Spirit Awards 2019.
4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 2019 3 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Debra Granik
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Supporting Female – Thomasin McKenzie
-
Critics' Choice 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Young Actor/Actress – Thomasin McKenzie
Leave No Trace Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Leave No Trace.
How Well Do You Know Leave No Trace?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What lifestyle do Will and Tom deliberately choose?
Cars in Leave No Trace
28 cars on screen, including the Bobcat E50 and the 1973 Ford F-Series.
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Bobcat E50 Minor role -
1973 Ford F-Series Minor role -
2015 Toyota Sienna Minor role -
Volvo VN-Series Minor role
Leave No Trace Also Known As
34 alternative titles, including “My Abandonment” and “Sans laisser de trace”.
- Also known as
-
- My Abandonment
- Sans laisser de trace
- 리브 노 트레이스
- Senza lasciare traccia
- Leave No Trace - Meine Wildnis
- No dejes rastro
- Älä jätä jälkeäkään
- Bez pēdām
- 不留痕迹
- Не оставляй следов
- 흔적 없는 삶
- Zatrzyj ślady
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- ללא עקבות
- Не оставяй и следа
- İz Bırakma
- Μην αφήσεις ίχνος
- 荒野之心
- Sem Rastros
- Не залишай слідів
- Beze stop
- Не остављај ни трага
- Ne hagyj nyomot!
- Fără urmă
- Neatstāj pēdas
- Nepalikti pėdsakų
- Sin Rastro
- بی رد و نشان
- Ne puščaj sledi
- ปรารถนาไร้ตัวตน
- Ẩn Thân
- 足跡はかき消して
- 逃出森淵
- कोई सुराग नहीं
- Ne ostavi traga
Seen Leave No Trace?
Movies Like Leave No Trace
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Guilt, Walking Out and The Cold Lands.
Leave No Trace FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Leave No Trace, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Leave No Trace released?
Leave No Trace was released on June 29, 2018.
Who directed Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace was directed by Debra Granik.
More films by Debra Granik Who is in the cast of Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace stars Ben Foster as Will, Thomasin McKenzie as Tom and Dana Millican as Jean, among 17 credited actors.
How much did Leave No Trace make at the box office?
Leave No Trace grossed $7.7 million worldwide ($6 million domestic, $1.6 million international).
How is Leave No Trace rated?
Leave No Trace has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Is Leave No Trace based on a book?
Yes. Leave No Trace is adapted from My Abandonment by Peter Rock.
Was Leave No Trace nominated for any awards?
Leave No Trace received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
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