The Woodsman 2004

Bacon delivers a compelling performance as Walter, a man grappling with his past as a convicted child molester who has just been released from a 12-year prison term. Returning to Philadelphia, he discovers that nearly everyone he once knew has turned their back on him, leaving only his brother-in-law, Carlos, to offer support. Seeking to rebuild his life, Walter secures a job at a local lumber mill where he crosses paths with Vicki, one of the few women employed there. Despite their initial fling, Vicki shies away from him upon learning about his criminal history. However, as time passes, she becomes convinced of Walter’s underlying goodness, and they embark on a romantic relationship.

Walter encounters frequent hostility from Lucas, played by Mos Def, a verbally abusive cop assigned to monitor him and ensure he keeps his distance from children. Struggling to reconcile his desire for a normal life with the looming shadows of his past, Walter faces the community’s scorn. The situation is fraught with challenges; he finds himself living mere steps away from an elementary school and a young bird-watcher named Robin (Hannah Pilkes), who unwittingly adds to his internal conflict. Walter grows increasingly troubled by the presence of a suspicious individual, nicknamed Candy (Kevin Rice), who he watches enchanting young boys with candy before luring them away.

Things spiral further out of control when a coworker at the mill learns about Walter’s history and reveals it to their colleagues, intensifying the discrimination he faces at his job. In desperate need of relief, Walter heads to a park, where he inadvertently learns that Robin, seeking help, has been enduring abuse at home. Faced with this realization, Walter finds himself at a critical moment of change, opting to guide her home rather than succumb to his harmful instincts.

In a series of dramatic confrontations, Walter’s anger and self-loathing bubble to the surface when he catches Candy in the act of luring a child. In a fit of rage, Walter assaults Candy, resulting in severe injuries. This violent outburst prompts Lucas to visit Walter’s apartment, where he hints at the repercussions of the previous night’s events. As he prepares to move in with Vicki, Walter grapples with visceral emotions and familial estrangement, illustrated by an encounter with his sister that ends in frustration.

The narrative wraps up with a poignant voiceover from Walter during a session with his therapist (Michael Shannon). Here, he reflects on his sister’s anger, acknowledging its validity while also embracing hope for his own redemption and future. As he reconciles with his past, Walter’s journey reveals a complex portrait of a man striving for connection and forgiveness amidst his transgressions.