To Kill a Wolf (2025): Cast & Ratings
To Kill a Wolf is a 2025 mystery drama directed by Kelsey Taylor, starring Maddison Brown as Dani, Dana Millican and David Knell. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Kelsey Taylor
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- All The Better
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is To Kill a Wolf About?
The premise of To Kill a Wolf without spoilers.
On the edge of Oregon’s wilderness, a reclusive woodsman finds a hypothermic teenage runaway named Dani. After rescuing her, he grudgingly promises to take her back to her grandmother. As they journey together, the two strangers with troubled pasts forge an unexpected bond while confronting the harsh forest and their own demons.
To Kill a Wolf Cast & Characters
Maddison Brown leads the cast as Dani, with Dana Millican as Detective Coyne and David Knell as The Rancher. Directed by Kelsey Taylor; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kelsey Taylor
- Maddison Brown as Dani
-
Dana Millican as Detective Coyne - David Knell as The Rancher
- Ivan Martin as The Woodsman
Also Starring in To Kill a Wolf
· 6 more- Michael Esper Carey
- Kaitlin Doubleday Jolene
- Jessica Catalano Sugar
- Julie Elizabeth Knell Margie
- Grant Jay Donny
- Annika Cowles Jenny
To Kill a Wolf Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave To Kill a Wolf 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).
To Kill a Wolf Echo Score Breakdown
To Kill a Wolf delivers a resonant adaptation of the classic fable through restrained direction, meticulous visual design, and committed performances, resulting in a consistently affecting drama. Critics and audiences alike commend the film’s solemn tone, nuanced acting, and striking cinematography that together reinforce its themes of trauma and redemption. While the narrative remains tightly constructed, occasional pacing lulls prevent it from reaching full brilliance. Overall, the film stands as a compelling, thoughtfully crafted work that rewards attentive viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
Regarding art and craft, the film demonstrates careful direction and a subdued visual palette that accentuates its somber mood. Critics note the elegance of its framing and the striking cinematography that renders the forest an active presence, while users echo the beauty of the visual composition. Editing remains measured, preserving a restrained rhythm that supports the narrative without drawing attention to itself.
- Character & Emotion 87
When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble delivers restrained yet potent performances that convey internal conflict without excess dialogue. Critics highlight the depth of the leads’ portrayals and the chemistry that grounds the fable in human stakes, and users specifically praise the stellar work of Maddison Brown and the overall acting strength. The emotional resonance emerges from subtle gestures, making the characters feel authentic and sympathetic.
- Story & Flow 85
In terms of story and flow, the adaptation reinterprets the Red Riding Hood motif with a modern, trauma‑focused lens, offering an original perspective on familiar beats. Critics appreciate the measured pacing and the narrative’s capacity to sustain tension, while viewers report lingering engagement and a desire for the film to continue. The plot remains coherent, though its hour‑plus runtime occasionally compresses thematic exploration.
- Sensory Experience 82
The sensory experience is dominated by a lush, naturalistic visual style that treats the forest as a narrative character, a point emphasized by both critics and users. While specific commentary on sound design is limited, the ambient score and restrained audio complement the visual tone, enhancing the film’s haunting atmosphere. Overall, the sensory elements cohere to reinforce the story’s emotional weight.
- Rewatch Factor 80
The rewatch factor stems from the film’s understated storytelling and emotional depth, which encourage multiple viewings to uncover nuanced details. Critics and audience members alike note that the film’s restraint and lingering thematic concerns leave a lasting impression, prompting reflection after the credits roll. Although the concise runtime limits extensive plot development, the overall impact remains strong enough to motivate repeat engagement.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
367 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
To Kill a Wolf Trailers & Videos
The trailer of To Kill a Wolf.
Seen To Kill a Wolf?
To Kill a Wolf FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of To Kill a Wolf, each answered in a sentence.
How long is To Kill a Wolf?
To Kill a Wolf runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was To Kill a Wolf released?
To Kill a Wolf was released on August 1, 2025.
Who directed To Kill a Wolf?
To Kill a Wolf was directed by Kelsey Taylor.
More films by Kelsey Taylor Who is in the cast of To Kill a Wolf?
To Kill a Wolf stars Maddison Brown as Dani, Dana Millican as Detective Coyne and David Knell as The Rancher, among 10 credited actors.
How is To Kill a Wolf rated?
To Kill a Wolf has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 80 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
Does To Kill a Wolf have a post-credit scene?
No. To Kill a Wolf has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
