Druid Peak

2015 • 114 minutes

About this movie

Druid Peak is a coming of age story about a troubled teenage boy who finds his place in the world tracking wolves in the wild lands of Wyoming.

Sixteen year old Owen Wagner isn't just rebellious, he's a bully with a mean streak. Growing up in coal country West Virginia, he struggles against the claustrophobia of small town life and the displacement he feels as the only child of his mother's first marriage. With anger he can't contain, he lashes out against school and family. But when his actions lead to the accidental death of a friend, his mother decides the only way to save him is to send him away. Owen is shipped off to live with his father, Everett Gordon, a biologist working on Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction program. At first, Owen wants no part of this new life. But on a failed attempt to escape the park, he has his first encounter with a Canadian gray wolf. The creature's deep, penetrating gaze startles him, stirring something long dead inside his own self.

Sensing the first signs of change in his son, Everett encourages Owen to collect some basic data about the wolf he saw and its family pack, the Druid Peak pack. Owen's small assignment grows into a passion and his own life becomes deeply tied to the Druid Peak wolves and their struggle for survival. When a change in government policy threatens the animals, Owen must decide how far he will go to protect the wolves, his father, and the place he has finally come to call home.

Ratings and reviews

This beautifully filmed movie has won 8 film festival awards and a Sloan Foundation grant for a reason. It is powerful and resonates with all ages from Tween on.If you love a coming of age story, wolves, the power of nature to heal, superb acting, award winning writing and/or Yellowstone National Park, this film is for you! Lead actor Andrew C. Wilson(Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) as Everett, a wolf biologist, must adjust to having his teenage son,Owen, suddenly move in with him in YNP. Owen, played by Spencer Treat Clark( Gladiator, Mystic River, Unbreakable,Last House on the Left, Mad Men) is angry and a bully and must adapt to his new life in Wyoming with a father he has never known, where he becomes fascinated with his father's wolf research and begins to heal. He also meets a cute girl, Zoe, played by Rachel Korine( Spring Breakers, Septien) who is the daughter of a rancher that does not like having wolves near his ranch.Highly recommend!

Great film for the family, teens, nature lovers. Strong performances by Andrew Wilson and Spencer Treat Clark. Great directing from Marni Zelnick and beautiful cinematography by Rachel Morrison.

Druid Peak is a coming of age story that's tie to nature is as strong as its tie to adolescent angst and love.