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Documentary

Wildcat (2022): Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Wildcat (2022) movie poster

Wildcat is a 2022 documentary directed by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $563,591 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$563.6K
Echo Score
73
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Wildcat (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Directors
Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Wildcat About?

The premise of Wildcat without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Deep within the Amazon rainforest, a young veteran named Harry Turner searches for healing and peace. He unexpectedly encounters Samantha Zwicker, who runs a wildlife sanctuary, and becomes involved in her efforts to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned animals. While caring for an ocelot, Harry experiences a profound personal transformation, finding purpose and redemption through connection with nature and the animals he helps. It’s a true story about love, healing, and finding second chances.

Wildcat Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • male nudity
  • jungle
  • wilderness
  • soldier
  • depression
  • mental health
  • alcoholism
  • nature documentary
  • post traumatic stress disorder
  • ocelot
  • amazon rainforest
  • scientist
+1 more
  • afghanistan war veteran
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Crew

The Director of Wildcat

Directed by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost.

Ratings

Wildcat Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Wildcat 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (62).

73 /100

Wildcat Echo Score Breakdown

Wildcat delivers a compelling blend of personal trauma and wildlife rescue, anchored by striking cinematography and an emotive score. Critics commend its intimate portrayal of a veteran’s struggle and the tender moments with orphaned ocelots, while several reviewers note uneven pacing and a limited character arc for Harry. The documentary’s heartfelt themes resonate, though the narrative occasionally falters. Overall, the film offers a moving, though imperfect, viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, the film excels with lush, high‑definition footage of the Peruvian rainforest and intimate wildlife close‑ups, earning frequent praise for its gorgeous cinematography. Direction maintains an intimate tone, yet some reviewers cite excessive runtime and uneven editing that dilute narrative momentum. Consequently, the artistic execution is strong but not uniformly refined.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When examining character depth, Harry’s depiction as a PTSD‑stricken veteran elicits strong emotional resonance, and supporting figures like Samantha provide empathetic counterpoints, which many reviewers find moving. However, criticism arises from observations that his personal arc remains static, with limited development from despair to recovery. The acting is generally effective, yet narrative constraints hinder fuller character exploration.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The documentary’s narrative weaves together personal recovery and wildlife conservation, offering an original premise that many critics label thoughtful and intimate. Pacing, however, draws mixed feedback; certain sections linger, creating a sense of excess, while other moments feel abruptly raw. Additionally, some reviewers note unanswered questions and a fragmented structure that can impede coherent storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory elements stand out with a resonant musical score and immersive sound design that accentuate both jungle ambience and the protagonist’s internal turmoil. Visual styling consistently highlights vibrant flora and the delicate movements of the ocelots, reinforcing thematic depth. Reviewers largely commend these aspects, noting they elevate the viewing experience despite occasional narrative roughness.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch value, the film’s emotional core and striking visuals leave a lingering impression for many viewers, prompting reflection on mental health and conservation. Some audience members, however, report that the length and repetitive moments cause the experience to fade shortly after viewing. Overall, the documentary possesses enough memorable qualities to merit at least one additional viewing.

Plot

Wildcat Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Wildcat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film centers on Flannery O’Connor, a singular Southern writer and devout Catholic, who imagines her own life as a melodramatic movie trailer. In this inventive opening, a flamboyant boarding-house resident named Star Drake becomes a catalyst for wild, chaotic scenes that spill over into both the imagined and the real. As the narrative unfurls, a series of vignettes unfold—each echoing the mood and themes of O’Connor’s stories such as The Comforts of Home, Everything That Rises Must Converge, Good Country People, The Life You Save May Be Your Own, Revelation, and Parker’s Back. The film also stages a scene from her novel The Violent Bear It Away and reworks monologues inspired by A Prayer Journal, blending fiction, memory, and inspiration into a mosaic of O’Connor’s life and work.

Full summary

The whole story of Wildcat, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Wildcat Box Office

Wildcat grossed $563,591 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$563.6K

US & Canada
$563.6K
Videos

Wildcat Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Wildcat.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Wildcat?

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

Who portrays Flannery O'Connor in the film?

Details

Wildcat Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “와일드캣” and “野猫”.

Also known as
  • 와일드캣
  • 野猫
  • Povídkářka
  • Dzikot
  • Vadmacska
  • 野貓

Seen Wildcat?

FAQ

Wildcat FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Wildcat?

Wildcat runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Wildcat released?

Wildcat was released on December 21, 2022.

Who directed Wildcat?

Wildcat was directed by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost.

How much did Wildcat make at the box office?

Wildcat grossed $563,591 worldwide.

How is Wildcat rated?

Wildcat has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Wildcat have a post-credit scene?

No. Wildcat has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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