Director Ant Timpson reunites with Come To Daddy writer Toby Harvard as well as long-time collaborator Elijah Wood for the wholesome, quirky, soul-warming adventure that is Bookworm. Enjoying its European premiere at this year's FrightFest, the creature feature also brings together breakout Evil Dead Rise star Nell Fisher, as well as Kill List's Michael Smiley and Housebound's Morgana O'Reilly for an off-beat trip through the lush New Zealand wilderness.

Mildred's (Fisher) life is turned upside down when a freak toaster accident sees her mother put into an induced coma. She is forced under the care of her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Wood), a washed-up magician whose spotlight has faded after being double-crossed by his former partner. While worried about her mother's health, Mildred's chief concern appears to be a camping trip her mother promised to take her on to hunt for proof of the elusive Canterbury Panther. Strawn agrees to take Mildred on the trip, where the two navigate more than just the treacherous terrain as they explore their innermost fears, past traumas, and future prospects.

Bookworm, on the surface, is a simple, light-hearted tale about a father and daughter who connect in the picturesque forests of New Zealand while bonding over the youngster's bizarre passions. But what makes it such a masterpiece is the way in which layers of the narrative are peeled back to reveal the characters' intentions, desires, and fears to reveal complicated, broken, yet healing people who cling to hope at every turn. Strawn, while desperately trying to impress Mildred with cheap magic tricks, opens up on his regrets over not being there during her childhood and the anger he feels toward none other than David Blaine for ‘stealing' his tricks. Though Mildred bristles at her father's affections and puts on a tough survivalist front, she crumbles into tears at the very prospect of losing her mother and not finding proof of the elusive panther – with one short clip offering reward enough to clear her mother's mounting debts.

The real, raw, human element of Bookworm and the resilience we have to persevere through the most trying of times is arguably more awe-inspiring than the panther itself. The narrative winds through multiple twists and turns, but always maintains this golden beacon of hope that keeps the somewhat dark story grounded in a fluffy atmosphere. It's packed full of signature dry, New Zealand wit, as well as tense sequences and spine-chilling interactions that through their adventure in disarray – just like a good magic trick, it pulls the audience in and takes them on a journey of wonder with plenty of surprises.

Wood delivers yet another standout performance in his incredible filmography as the clueless yet endearing Strawn, but it is Fisher who really steals the show at the titular bookworm Mildred. Her razor-sharp tongue cuts down her father and any unlucky soul who irks her in seconds, but Fisher breaks hearts during more tender moments where Mildred allows herself to feel vulnerable. Bookworm is the perfect gateway horror to introduce young audiences to peril, but also a light-hearted, tear-jerking watch for seasoned genre fans. Timpson and his team manage to bring to life a bizarre, quaint world of endearing oddballs in an adventure for a fabled creature, finding so much more along the way.

Bookworm had its European premiere at FrightFest 2024 on Friday, August 23