Wildcat (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Wildcat is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Ethan Hawke, starring Maya Hawke as Flannery O'Connor, Rafael Casal and Philip Ettinger. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $563,591 worldwide. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Ethan Hawke
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Good Country Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Wildcat About?
The premise of Wildcat without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
The film explores the life of acclaimed Southern Gothic writer Flannery O'Connor as she confronts questions of art, faith, and suffering. As she examines the role of provocative art in relation to her beliefs, the lines between personal pain and creative inspiration become increasingly blurred, prompting a profound exploration of the transformative potential of illness.
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 Show fewer
- afghanistan war veteran
Wildcat Cast & Characters
Maya Hawke leads the cast as Flannery O'Connor, with Rafael Casal as O.E. Parker and Philip Ettinger as Robert 'Cal' Lowell. Directed by Ethan Hawke; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Ethan Hawke
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Maya Hawke as Flannery O'Connor - Rafael Casal as O.E. Parker
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Philip Ettinger as Robert 'Cal' Lowell -
Willa Fitzgerald as Elizabeth Hardwick
Also Starring in Wildcat
· 16 more- Laura Linney Regina
- Vincent D'Onofrio Sheriff
- John E. Brownlee Porter
- Cooper Hoffman Manley Pointer
- Chaney Morrow
- Christine Dye Duchess
- Wilson Conkwright Walter
- Jeffery Croft II Church Congregation
- Jan Falk Mrs. Freeman
- Erin Eva Butcher Train Passenger
- Laketa Caston Sullen Woman
- Shane McCamant Doctor's Office Patient
- Tony Hall Train Passenger
- Doug Meacham
- Chrissy Morgan
- Mark Miceli
More from Ethan Hawke
More films directed by Ethan Hawke, best-rated first: Seymour: An Introduction, The Hottest State and Chelsea Walls.
Wildcat Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Wildcat 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (50).
Wildcat Echo Score Breakdown
Wildcat presents a striking visual style but uneven narrative cohesion that limits its overall impact. The film’s painterly cinematography and measured direction create an evocative atmosphere through bold framing and production choices. Lead performances deliver emotional depth at times, though occasional exaggerations disrupt engagement. Dreamlike visual sequences and a resonant soundtrack enhance the sensory journey. Ultimately, its strong aesthetic foundation is undermined by fragmented storytelling.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, Wildcat excels in visual composition and directorial intent. The film utilizes painterly framing and cohesive production design to establish a polished aesthetic. Dreamy fish-eye lenses and meticulously composed shots further enhance the visual atmosphere. Overall, the cinematography and artistic choices deliver a compelling and intentional visual experience.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, performances are nuanced but occasionally inconsistent. Maya Hawke’s portrayal delivers rich emotional layers and credible depth, while Laura Linney’s vivid interpretive choices add intensity. However, instances of exaggerated delivery can disrupt authenticity. Overall, character depth shines in moments of restraint, though uneven execution affects sustained emotional resonance.
- Story & Flow 50
With respect to story and flow, Wildcat exhibits moments of inventiveness but struggles with coherence and pacing. The non-linear structure and thematic blending yield atmospheric vignettes, yet the overall narrative arc often feels fragmented and difficult to follow. Occasional lapses in research and focus diminish engagement. In sum, the film’s originality is undermined by inconsistent narrative clarity.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, Wildcat offers a haunting atmosphere supported by an evocative soundtrack and meticulous sound design. Dreamlike visual sequences complement an understated color palette, creating immersive cohesion between image and score. The atmospheric blend of audio and visual elements crafts a consistent tone. Overall, the film’s sensory richness reinforces its distinctive mood and aesthetic identity.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Regarding rewatch potential, Wildcat presents compelling visual moments but may offer limited lasting appeal due to its narrative fragmentation. The thematic depth and strong individual scenes provide reasons for repeat viewings, yet inconsistent story coherence and pacing can reduce enjoyment on subsequent passes. While certain sequences reward closer attention, the uneven structure may deter sustained reengagement.
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IMDb 7.7 /10
3716 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 59% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 69%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 5.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
10110 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Wildcat Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Wildcat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film follows Flannery O’Connor, an idiosyncratic young Southern writer and devout Catholic, as she imagines a melodramatic movie trailer in which the crazed, nymphomaniac boarding-house boarder Star Drake drags her hosts into violent trouble. The narrative then unfurls through a blend of imagined episodes and real life, weaving in a mosaic drawn from O’Connor’s short stories—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—along with a scene from her novel The Violent Bear It Away and monologues adapted from A Prayer Journal.
Full summary
The whole story of Wildcat, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Wildcat Box Office
Wildcat grossed $563,591 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$563.6K
- US & Canada
- $563.6K
Wildcat Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 featurettes.
- Featurette TIFF 2023 Q&A with Ethan Hawke, Maya Hawke, Philip Ettinger, Laura Linney
- Featurette WILDCAT - Q&A
- Featurette Wildcat Q&A with Director Ethan Hawke
How Well Do You Know Wildcat?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- 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
Which actress portrays Flannery O'Connor (and also the character Star Drake) in the film?
Seen Wildcat?
Movies Like Wildcat
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Wildcat, Wildcat and Flannery.
Wildcat FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Wildcat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Wildcat?
Wildcat runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Wildcat released?
Wildcat was released on May 3, 2024.
Who directed Wildcat?
Wildcat was directed by Ethan Hawke.
More films by Ethan Hawke Who is in the cast of Wildcat?
Wildcat stars Maya Hawke as Flannery O'Connor, Rafael Casal as O.E. Parker and Philip Ettinger as Robert 'Cal' Lowell, among 20 credited actors.
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, 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.
Does Wildcat have a post-credit scene?
No. Wildcat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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