Wilson

Wilson is a middle aged man who recently divorced and finds himself navigating life with a sharp tongue and a stubborn sense of his own importance. He moves through days with a blend of bravado and isolation, clinging to memories of what he once had while refusing to adjust to the present. His conversations cut deep, his humor lands as biting, and his self image clashes with the reality of those around him. As he chases connections with old friends and tries to reach out to his estranged daughter, his attempts frequently misfire, exposing the fragile thread that keeps him from fully retracting into the past. The film observes human endurance in the face of awkwardness and longing.

Production & Release: Craig Johnson directs Wilson, an adaptation of Daniel Clowes' graphic novel. The cast includes Woody Harrelson as Wilson with Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cheryl Hines, Isabella Amara, and Laura Dern, released in 2017 in limited theaters.

The film did not receive major nominations at the big awards shows, though Harrelson's performance and Johnson's restrained direction drew praise from some critics. It found a modest audience on the indie circuit rather than mass award platforms. Its reception reflected a niche appeal for character driven comedies.

Cultural Impact: Wilson appeals to fans of offbeat character studies and Daniel Clowes' sensibility, offering a dry nuanced portrait of loneliness and family strain. While not a blockbuster, its tone and humor left a small but lasting mark on indie audiences and on discussions of midlife culture.

Reception & Themes: Critical reaction centered on the film's blunt humor and unflinching look at midlife discontent. It examines how a flawed protagonist seeks connection, only to discover the work of changing himself may be harder than changing others, and that true belonging often arrives through small, stubborn acts of humility.