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Walking Out (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Walking Out (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 95 min · English
Echo score 80
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Directed by
Alex Smith, Andrew J. Smith
Starring
Josh Wiggins, Alex Neustaedter, Bill Pullman, Erik P. Resel, Ken White, Lily Gladstone

After a hunting trip in the Montana wilderness goes terribly wrong, a 14-year-old boy must find the strength to care for his critically injured father. Stranded in a harsh and isolated landscape, he faces a desperate fight for survival, confronting both the dangers of the wilderness and his own inner resilience as he struggles to save his dad.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Walking Out
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Walking Out Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Walking Out (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • David

    played by Josh Wiggins

    David is a 14-year-old boy caught between the fast-paced life of suburban Texas and the daunting wilderness of Montana. Initially disengaged and consumed by technology, his journey transforms him into a more responsible and resilient individual. Through his father’s tragic accident, David learns about loss, survival, and his own strength.

    • 👦 Teenager
    • 🚶‍♂️ Resilience
    • 📱 Technology
  • Cal

    played by Matt Bomer

    Cal is a passionate and imposing father who yearns for a deeper connection with his son through outdoor activities. Despite his stern demeanor, he embodies a love for nature and adventure, which starkly contrasts David’s initial disinterest. His tragic fate prompts a profound shift in David's character as he navigates grief and responsibility.

    • 👨 Father
    • 🌲 Outdoorsman
    • 💔 Tragedy
  • Doctor

    played by Scott McMillion

    The doctor plays a critical role in delivering the devastating news of Cal's passing. He symbolizes the harsh reality of life and death, reinforcing the theme of loss. The moment he arrives marks a turning point in David's emotional journey, solidifying the gravity of his father's situation.

    • 👨‍⚕️ Caregiver
    • 📉 Tragedy
    • 💔 Loss

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:26

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Setting

Where and When Does Walking Out Take Place?

The setting of Walking Out (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Contemporary

The story unfolds in modern times, reflecting the current societal shift towards technology and the impact it has on interpersonal relationships. David's reliance on his smartphone highlights the generational divide and the struggle to connect with nature and family. This contemporary setting enhances the themes of loss and self-discovery as David learns to navigate his emotions amidst a tragic backdrop.

Location

Texas, Montana, Snow-Capped Mountains

The movie transitions from the suburban landscape of Texas to the rugged and breathtaking beauty of Montana's snow-capped mountains. Texas represents David's fast-paced, technology-driven life, while Montana serves as a stark contrast with its tranquil wilderness and inherent challenges. The mountains are not just a backdrop; they symbolize the isolation and struggle David faces during his transformative journey with his father.

  • 🏞️ Nature
  • 🌄 Mountains

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:26

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3 major themes

Walking Out Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Walking Out (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Loss

    Loss is a central theme that permeates David's journey as he grapples with the sudden death of his father, Cal. It evokes deep emotional turmoil and forces David to confront the responsibilities and harsh realities of life. Through this painful experience, David transforms from a detached teenager into someone who faces adversity with resilience and maturity.

  • Survival

    The theme of survival is vividly illustrated through David’s struggle to bring his injured father back to safety. This journey requires not just physical endurance but also emotional strength as he learns to navigate the treacherous mountains. As David faces various obstacles, he discovers inner strength and resourcefulness that empower him to take charge of the situation.

  • Father-Son Relationship

    The evolving father-son relationship is a poignant theme that reflects the complexities of familial bonds. Initially distant, David's relationship with Cal becomes a vital part of his journey, culminating in a poignant understanding of love, responsibility, and the impact of loss. This theme highlights the importance of communication and connection between generations.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:26

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Character & theme questions

Walking Out Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Walking Out (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie is set in two contrasting locations: suburban Texas and the rugged Montana wilderness. Texas represents David's fast-paced, technology-driven life, while Montana's snow-capped mountains serve as a harsh, isolated backdrop that becomes the site of the survival story.

  • setting
  • montana
  • texas
  • wilderness
  • mountains
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The story unfolds in contemporary modern times. This setting highlights David's reliance on technology, particularly his smartphone, which underscores the generational divide between his digital life and the unplugged wilderness he must navigate.

  • contemporary
  • time period
  • modern era
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three interconnected themes: Loss, as David confronts his father's sudden death and the responsibilities it brings; Survival, both physical and emotional, as he navigates the dangerous wilderness; and the evolving Father-Son Relationship, which transforms from distant to profoundly meaningful through their shared challenge.

  • themes
  • loss
  • survival
  • father-son relationship
  • coming-of-age
Q4

How does the movie handle the theme of loss?

Loss serves as the emotional core of the film. David's father Cal dies in the wilderness, forcing the 14-year-old to grapple with grief, responsibility, and the harsh realities of life. This devastating event transforms David from a disengaged teenager into someone who must face adversity with resilience and maturity.

  • loss
  • grief
  • death
  • emotional journey
  • tragedy
Q5

What does the movie say about survival?

Survival in the film requires both physical endurance and emotional strength. David must navigate treacherous Montana mountains while caring for his critically injured father, discovering inner resourcefulness and determination he never knew he had. The wilderness becomes both a deadly threat and a catalyst for his transformation.

  • survival
  • wilderness
  • mountains
  • endurance
  • resilience
Q6

How is the father-son relationship portrayed?

David and Cal begin with a distant, strained relationship typical of adolescence. Cal, a passionate outdoorsman, hopes to connect with his son through their hunting trip. The crisis forces them together, and the tragedy ultimately brings David to a poignant understanding of love, responsibility, and the fragility of life.

  • father
  • son
  • relationship
  • cal
  • david
  • family bonds
Q7

Who is David in the movie?

David is a 14-year-old boy from suburban Texas who is initially disengaged and consumed by technology. His journey through the Montana wilderness after his father's accident transforms him into a responsible, resilient individual who must confront loss and discover his own inner strength.

  • david
  • 14-year-old
  • protagonist
  • josh wiggins
  • teenager
Q8

Who is Cal in the movie?

Cal is David's father, portrayed as a passionate and imposing outdoorsman who loves nature and adventure. He yearns for a deeper connection with his son and uses their hunting trip as an attempt to bridge their emotional distance. His tragic fate becomes the catalyst for David's transformation.

  • cal
  • father
  • matt bomer
  • outdoorsman
  • hunter
Q9

Why does the movie contrast Texas and Montana?

The contrast between Texas and Montana represents the clash between David's modern, technology-driven suburban life and the raw, unforgiving wilderness. Montana's tranquil but dangerous landscape serves as the setting where David must abandon his old ways and develop the strength to survive both physically and emotionally.

  • texas
  • montana
  • contrast
  • setting
  • wilderness
  • nature vs technology

Movie threads

More Movies Like Walking Out, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Walking Out tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Desperate Wilderness Survival Movies like Walking Out

Stories of ordinary people pushed to their limits against a merciless natural world. If you enjoyed the tense survival struggle in Walking Out, explore more movies where characters must rely on their wits and will to live against the elements. These films capture the grim reality and emotional burden of being stranded and fighting nature.

  • survivalist
  • desperate
  • tense
  • gritty
  • solitary
  • resilient
  • Tone: tense, grim, desperate
  • Pacing: variable, starting slow then intensifying
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward, high-stakes journey where a character or small group becomes stranded in a remote, harsh environment. The plot revolves around a series of escalating physical and psychological challenges, forcing characters to confront their mortality and find inner strength they didn't know they possessed.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that share a core premise of human vs. nature conflict, characterized by high intensity, a tense tone, and a heavy emotional weight. They deliver a similar visceral experience of desperation, resilience, and the grim realities of survival.

Father-Son Crisis Stories Similar to Walking Out

Emotional journeys where a shared extreme ordeal tests and transforms a fractured relationship. For viewers moved by the heavy emotional journey between father and son in Walking Out, this thread collects movies where a perilous event becomes the crucible for a strained relationship, focusing on themes of responsibility, loss, and reconciliation.

  • emotional
  • somber
  • tense
  • father-son
  • grief
  • resilient
  • Tone: emotional, tense, somber
  • Pacing: variable, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story pivots on a critical incident that throws a distant or conflicted father and son into a desperate situation. The external danger forces them to rely on each other, bridging emotional gaps through shared hardship. The journey is often bittersweet or tragic, with the crisis irrevocably changing their understanding of one another.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their central focus on the evolution of a father-son relationship under extreme duress. They share a heavy emotional weight, themes of grief and responsibility, and a narrative structure where plot and character development are deeply intertwined.

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Movies Like Walking Out

Similar movies to Walking Out: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Walking Out (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Walking Out in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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