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Drama

Wildhood (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Wildhood (2022) movie poster

Wildhood is a 2022 drama directed by Bretten Hannam, starring Avery Winters-Anthony as Travis, Joshua Odjick and Michael Greyeyes. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $3,433 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$3.4K
Echo Score
79
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Wildhood (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Bretten Hannam
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Wildhood About?

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

Living in a difficult trailer park, a young man named Link struggles under the influence of his abusive father while grappling with his Indigenous background. Driven by the possibility that his Mi'kmaw mother is still alive, he sets out on a journey of self-discovery with his half-brother Travis. Together, they navigate challenges and search for a chance at a more hopeful future, confronting their past and seeking connection.

Wildhood Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay interest
  • gay sex
  • gay protagonist
  • gay
  • gay male
  • gay character
  • gay kiss
  • gay sex scene
  • gay teen
  • first nations
  • gay virgin
  • male nudity
+38 more
  • male rear nudity
  • native americans
  • smooth chest
  • bare chested male
  • oral sex
  • anal sex
  • gay slur
  • two spirited
  • lgbt
  • lgbt character
  • lgbt interest
  • homophobia
  • coming of age drama
  • reconciliation
  • mother son relationship
  • child abuse
  • older brother younger brother relationship
  • father son relationship
  • abusive father
  • sex scene
  • outdoor sex
  • gay actor gay character
  • drag queen
  • lesbian slur
  • teenager
  • skinny dipping
  • teen drama
  • rejection
  • crying
  • dyed hair
  • character says i love you
  • acceptance
  • native american ceremony
  • native dress
  • eye patch
  • writer director producer
  • beach
  • lake
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Cast & crew

Wildhood Cast & Characters

Avery Winters-Anthony leads the cast as Travis, with Joshua Odjick as Pasmay and Michael Greyeyes as Smokey. Directed by Bretten Hannam; 8 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Bretten Hannam

More films directed by Bretten Hannam: Wildfire, North Mountain and Deep End.

Full filmography
Ratings

Wildhood Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Wildhood 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

79 /100

Wildhood Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a vivid visual portrait of Nova Scotia’s landscape and an earnest exploration of Indigenous and queer identity, anchored by strong performances. Critics commend the elegant handheld cinematography and the authenticity of the representation, while users note its emotional resonance. At the same time, the narrative suffers from unresolved plot threads and occasional pacing issues that dilute its impact. In sum, the strengths in craft and sentiment outweigh the structural shortcomings, yielding a solid and memorable coming‑of‑age drama.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film excels with elegant handheld cinematography and striking landscape composition. Critics describe it as a tremendously shot piece of work, and users echo its beautiful creation. Minor remarks note occasional difficulty in tone, but overall the artistic execution is consistently high, reinforcing the film’s aesthetic appeal.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When assessing acting and character depth, reviewers highlight a galvanizing breakout performance and nuanced chemistry between the leads. Both critics and viewers praise the authenticity of the portrayals and the life given to supporting figures. Some observations mention rough acting in certain moments, yet the overall character work is regarded as a strong element of the film.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative’s coherence receives mixed reactions; while its authentic storytelling and cultural insight are praised, critics point to an elusive resolution and unresolved plot threads. Users describe the road‑trip structure as occasionally over‑extended and the ending as untidy. These pacing and structural concerns temper the film’s originality, resulting in a modest overall story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s visual style is repeatedly commended for its beautiful capture of landscape and thoughtful color palette. Handheld camerawork and production design contribute to an immersive atmosphere. Although soundtrack details are sparse, the overall sensory impact aligns with the film’s poetic tone and visual strengths.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    The rewatch factor is buoyed by the film’s emotional resonance and cultural authenticity, which many viewers find lingering and impactful. Positive remarks about it being an instant favorite and a masterpiece suggest lasting appeal, while criticisms of pacing may limit repeat viewings for some. Overall, it offers moderate incentive for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Wildhood Plot Summary

What happens in Wildhood from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lincoln “Link” Lewitski is a troubled teenager in his late teens navigating a difficult life with his abusive single father and younger brother, Travis, in a dilapidated trailer park situated in Canada. One fateful day, after enduring a particularly violent confrontation, Link discovers a shocking truth: his mother, long thought to be deceased, is actually alive. This revelation prompts an impulsive decision—Link decides to flee with Travis in search of her.

Full summary

The whole story of Wildhood, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Wildhood Box Office

Wildhood grossed $3,433 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.4K

International
$3.4K
Videos

Wildhood Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 5 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser UK Spot
  • Clip Dance With Me
  • Clip "It's hard to do things alone"
  • Clip How Lucky You Are
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Wildhood?

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 is the name of Lincoln Link's younger brother?

Details

Wildhood Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “ველურობა” and “Selvagem: Busca Pelas Raízes”.

Also known as
  • ველურობა
  • Selvagem: Busca Pelas Raízes
  • Dzikość
  • Nespoutaní
  • 野蛮生长
  • Дикость
  • 와일드후드
  • ילדות פרועה

Seen Wildhood?

FAQ

Wildhood FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Wildhood?

Wildhood runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Wildhood released?

Wildhood was released on June 17, 2022.

Who directed Wildhood?

Wildhood was directed by Bretten Hannam.

More films by Bretten Hannam

Who is in the cast of Wildhood?

Wildhood stars Avery Winters-Anthony as Travis, Joshua Odjick as Pasmay and Michael Greyeyes as Smokey, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Wildhood make at the box office?

Wildhood grossed $3,433 worldwide.

How is Wildhood rated?

Wildhood has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Wildhood have a post-credit scene?

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

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