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Adventure thriller

Walking Out (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Walking Out (2017) movie poster

Walking Out is a 2017 adventure thriller directed by Alex Smith and Andrew J. Smith, starring Josh Wiggins as David, Matt Bomer and Scott McMillion. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $162,445 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$162.4K
Echo Score
80
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Walking Out (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Directors
Alex Smith and Andrew J. Smith
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Walking Out About?

The premise of Walking Out without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After a hunting trip in the Montana wilderness goes terribly wrong, a 14-year-old boy must find the strength to care for his critically injured father. Stranded in a harsh and isolated landscape, he faces a desperate fight for survival, confronting both the dangers of the wilderness and his own inner resilience as he struggles to save his dad.

Walking Out Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • snow adventure
  • father son relationship
  • hunt
  • killing an animal
  • fishing lesson
  • hunting lesson
  • airport
  • grizzly bear
  • running water
  • butchering an animal
  • bear meat
  • gathering firewood
+38 more
  • quail call
  • elk
  • teenager
  • no opening credits
  • father son conflict
  • son carries his father
  • montana
  • bleeding to death
  • hallucination
  • fear
  • sleep
  • stocking cap
  • bird whistle
  • whistling
  • dead moose
  • flask
  • water canteen
  • creek
  • makeshift crutches
  • younger version of character
  • memory
  • mother son relationship
  • teenage boy
  • target practice
  • airplane
  • playing a video game
  • iphone
  • land rover
  • doctor
  • hand bandage
  • bear paw
  • dead bear cub
  • eating raw meat
  • eating grouse
  • grouse
  • campfire
  • flash forward
  • flashback
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Cast & crew

Walking Out Cast & Characters

Josh Wiggins leads the cast as David, with Matt Bomer as Cal and Scott McMillion as Doctor. Directed by Alex Smith and Andrew J. Smith; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Walking Out

· 4 more
Ratings

Walking Out Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Walking Out 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Walking Out Echo Score Breakdown

Walking Out stands out for its compelling fusion of visual grandeur and intimate emotional drama. The film employs measured direction and striking cinematography to evoke the isolation and harsh beauty of its wilderness setting, while its central performances convey genuine paternal bonds. Although the survival-driven plot engages through allegorical depth, episodes of uneven pacing temper its momentum. Overall, it delivers an authentic and contemplative wilderness drama with modest yet enduring impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    The film's art and craft deliver a refined visual narrative marked by measured direction and striking compositions. Cinematography showcases the natural landscape with startling clarity and subdued color palettes. Editing choices support the intimate tone, maintaining narrative momentum without resorting to unnecessary suspense tactics. Overall, the art and craft achieve an authoritative yet unembellished presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character and emotion, the film presents thoughtful performances that anchor its father–son dynamic. The lead actors convey emotional depth through restrained expressions and credible chemistry, sustaining engagement even during slower moments. Supporting cast contributions, though limited in scope, reinforce the personal stakes. Overall, the character dimension feels authentic and consistently grounded.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative balances a compelling survival drama with periodic pacing irregularities. The plot unfolds through a coming-of-age framework enriched by allegorical underpinnings, though certain sequences drag and verge on pretension. Originality is limited by genre conventions, yet moments of familial resonance sustain engagement. Overall, the storyline delivers moderate intrigue but lacks consistent momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels through its cohesive visual style and immersive soundscapes. The snow-laden vistas are rendered with crisp detail and subdued color palettes, while ambient sound design conveys the isolation of the wilderness. Though the musical score remains understated, it complements the mood without overwhelming. Overall, the sensory elements create a vivid yet restrained atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers lingering thematic resonance despite its modest scale. Moments of visceral tension and emotional nostalgia can reward subsequent viewings, but the deliberate pacing and familiar genre beats may diminish incentive for repeated watches. The understated narrative depth retains some lasting appeal, yet its restrained execution limits high replay value.

Plot

Walking Out Plot Summary

What happens in Walking Out from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Once a year, David (Josh Wiggins) embarks on a journey from Texas to Montana during his school break to visit his father, Cal (Matt Bomer), a passionate outdoorsman. Living in suburban Texas with his mother, David is accustomed to a fast-paced life dominated by his smartphone. At just fourteen, he’s more engaged with his games and texting his mom than with his surroundings.

Full summary

The whole story of Walking Out, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Walking Out Box Office

Walking Out grossed $162,445 worldwide. $101,947 came from the US and Canada and $60,498 (37%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$162.4K

US & Canada
$101.9K
International
$60.5K
US & Canada 63% Rest of the world 37%
Videos

Walking Out Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Walking Out.

Walking Out - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Walking Out?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What state does David travel from?

Cars

Cars in Walking Out

1 car on screen: the Land-Rover 88'' Series II.

  • Land-Rover 88'' Series II in Walking Out Land-Rover 88'' Series II Important role

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FAQ

Walking Out FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Walking Out, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Walking Out?

Walking Out runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Walking Out released?

Walking Out was released on October 6, 2017.

Who directed Walking Out?

Walking Out was directed by Alex Smith and Andrew J. Smith.

More films by Alex Smith

Who is in the cast of Walking Out?

Walking Out stars Josh Wiggins as David, Matt Bomer as Cal and Scott McMillion as Doctor, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Walking Out make at the box office?

Walking Out grossed $162,445 worldwide ($101,947 domestic, $60,498 international).

How is Walking Out rated?

Walking Out has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Walking Out have a post-credit scene?

No. Walking Out has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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