Woodshock

Woodshock

Year: 2017

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Directors: Kate Mulleavy, Laura Mulleavy

Echo Score: 42

Budget: $5M

DramaThriller

A grieving woman, Theresa, struggles to distinguish reality from illusion following a profound loss. Embodied by Kirsten Dunst, she descends into paranoia and a fragile emotional state, further complicated by a powerful drug that distorts her perception of time and space. The film, a debut from the Mulleavy sisters, explores themes of loss, grief, and the blurring lines between inner and outer worlds.

Woodshock (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Woodshock (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the shadowed canopies of Northern California’s redwood forest, a solitary woman seeks refuge from a loss that has unraveled the fabric of her reality. Theresa arrives with a heart bruised by grief, carrying the weight of an absence that aches in every breath of the towering woods. The landscape itself feels both a sanctuary and a mirror, its ancient silence echoing the emptiness she cannot escape.

The film’s tone is a delicate balance of lingering melancholy and surreal wonder, painting the natural world in muted hues while allowing moments of startling, luminous beauty to pierce through. As the forest’s fog rolls across moss‑laden trunks, it blurs the line between what is seen and what is felt, inviting the audience to float alongside Theresa as she drifts between memory and present. A subtle, haunting score underscores each step, reinforcing the sense that time itself may be slipping.

Within this ethereal setting, the protagonist encounters a mysterious, potent substance designed for those at the edge of life. Its presence hints at a desperate attempt to numb pain, yet it also promises a distortion of perception that could either illuminate hidden truths or deepen the fog of uncertainty. The drug becomes a silent character, its influence shaping the atmosphere of the story without revealing its full impact.

Surrounded by enigmatic strangers who appear as much as reflections of her inner turmoil as they are external entities, Theresa navigates a fragile emotional landscape. Their brief interactions suggest companionship, caution, and the possibility of unspoken understanding, all while the forest watches, indifferent yet intimately involved. The film invites viewers to linger in this liminal space, where grief, beauty, and the unknown intertwine, leaving the outcome of Theresa’s journey an open, resonant question.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:03

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Dreamlike Psychological Descents into Fractured Reality like in Woodshock

Films where a fragile psyche blurs the line between dreams, memory, and the real world.For viewers seeking movies like Woodshock that explore psychological unraveling through a disorienting, dreamlike lens. These films use surrealism and a distorted sense of time to portray characters grappling with grief, trauma, or madness, blurring the boundaries between their inner and outer worlds.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often isolated and emotionally vulnerable, as their grip on reality weakens. External events become unreliable, melding with hallucinations, memories, and fears. The story structure is typically unconventional, reflecting the character's fragmented mental state rather than a traditional cause-and-effect plot.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared commitment to portraying a subjective, distorted reality. They prioritize mood and internal experience over conventional storytelling, creating a cohesive feeling of psychological disorientation and existential unease for the viewer.

Movies About Heavy Grief and Emotional Collapse Similar to Woodshock

Character studies of profound loss leading to a fragile and paranoid state of mind.If you were captivated by Woodshock's raw depiction of grief, this list features similar films about profound loss and psychological descent. These character-driven stories explore the heavy emotional weight of mourning, often leading to paranoia, fragile mental states, and a struggle to find solid ground.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is a downward trajectory, beginning with a catalyst of profound loss. We follow the protagonist as they retreat inward, their emotional pain manifesting as paranoia, dissociation, or destructive behavior. The conflict is primarily internal, pitting the character against their own unbearable sorrow and the haunting presence of what they've lost.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a central, unwavering focus on the experience of devastating grief. They are united by a heavy emotional tone, a slow, contemplative pace that allows the pain to saturate every scene, and a lead performance that embodies a deep, isolating sorrow.

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Woodshock Summary

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Woodshock Summary

Woodshock Timeline

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Woodshock Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Woodshock

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Woodshock

More About Woodshock

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