Leave No Trace Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and More

leave no trace film

Leave No Trace is a 2018 drama film directed by Debra Granik and adapted from Peter Locke’s 2009 novel My Abandonment. The story revolves around a veteran father (played by Ben Foster) suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who lives in the wilderness with his young daughter (played by Thomasin McKenzie). The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States by Bleecker Street on June 29, 2018.

It won widespread critical acclaim, especially for Foster and McKenzie’s performances. Notably, Leave No Trace received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the most reviewed movie.

Leave no trace ending explained

In the final moments of the film Leave No Trace, the story comes to a poignant and open-ended ending. Here’s an explanation of the film’s ending: Throughout the film, we follow Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) living a secluded life in the Oregon woods. A life of isolation.

However, their secluded life is disrupted when they are discovered by authorities and social workers. They are placed in homes on the farm where they have a sense of stability and the opportunity to integrate into society.

In the final scenes, we see Tom adjusting to his new surroundings, going to school, and participating in activities. While she seems to be adjusting well, it’s clear that she still longs for the freedom and connection to nature she experienced with her father in the wilderness. The contrast between the orderly life she now leads and the untamed wilderness she leaves behind is palpable.

Meanwhile, Will struggles to conform to society’s normative expectations and finds it difficult to fit in. The film deftly depicts his discomfort and longing for his former simple, lonely life. He eventually decided to leave, realizing he couldn’t fully adapt to this new way of life.

At the last moment, Tom discovers a package left by her father, which contains a harmonica. This gesture symbolizes his love and support for her and is a reminder of their shared experiences and connection. Torn between his loyalty to his father and his desire for a more traditional life, Tom makes a choice.

The film leaves the audience with an open ending as we witness Tom standing at a crossroads. It’s unclear whether she decides to stay and fully embrace her new life, or follow her father into the unknown.

The ending encapsulates themes of individualism, the struggle between social expectations and personal freedom, and the complexities of father-daughter relationships. Ultimately, the film invites viewers to consider the profound impact of the choices we make in life, the pursuit of happiness, and our relationships.

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leave no trace plot

Will, a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lives in seclusion in Forest Park near Portland, Oregon, with his 13-year-old daughter, Tom. They relied on survival skills and rarely ventured into the city in search of supplies. Will sold VA-issued medication to another homeless veteran to make ends meet.

Their peaceful life is disrupted when Tom is discovered in the woods, leading to their arrest by park rangers and intervention by social services agencies. After the appraisal, they were offered a house on a Christmas tree farm in rural Oregon in exchange for Will’s job.

Tom adjusted well and displayed her advanced education despite never having been to school. Will reluctantly starts working on the farm, but struggles with the noise of the helicopter used for tree transport. Tom became friends with local boys and joined a 4-H youth club. Social service agencies continue to monitor them closely and add to their paperwork.

One day, Will suddenly decides to leave, and Tom reluctantly follows. They returned to their camp in the park only to find it destroyed. They attempted to travel in a railroad boxcar, but ended up hitching a ride with a truck driver who took them to a remote forested area in Washington state. Forced to build a temporary shelter, they stumbled upon a vacant cabin and settled there.

However, Will left to find food and did not return. Tom found him injured at the bottom of the canyon. With the help of a local quad biker, she sought help but refused to take him to hospital. They take refuge in a mobile home community, where a former Army doctor treats Will’s injuries. After Will recovered, they were given a trailer to stay in and a service dog to help him escape his nightmares.

Tom embraces her new surroundings, learns about beekeeping, and attempts to get a rental agreement for the trailer without notifying Will. However, Will insists that they leave. Tom expresses her disagreement and tells him that what’s bothering him doesn’t affect her.

They burst into tears, hugged each other sincerely, and then parted ways. Tom returns to the trailer community while Will returns to the woods. Later, Tom leaves a food package in the forest and signals Will to find it.

Leave No Trace cast list

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Ben Foster will
Thomasin McKenzie tom
Jeff Cobb Mr. Walters
Dale Dickey Dell
Dana Milliken Jean Bauer
Michael Prosser james
Derek John Drescher Larry
Isaiah Stone Isaiah

Where can I watch Leave No Trace?

You can choose to watch Leave No Trace on Netflix. Additionally, you can stream movies by renting or purchasing them on platforms like Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, and iTunes.

To get started with Prime Video, follow these steps:

  • Download the Prime Video app to your device.
  • Launch the Prime Video app to get started.
  • Choose one of the following methods to register your device:
  • (1) Select “Sign in and start watching” and provide your Amazon account details.
  • (2) Select “Register on Amazon.com” to receive a 5-6 character code. Then, log into your Amazon account on the website and enter the code you received.

Leave No Trace Netflix

Yes, Leave No Trace is available to watch on Netflix. Here are the simple steps to log into your Netflix account.

  • Use your mobile browser to visit netflix.com/signup.
  • If you have installed the Netflix app from the Google Play Store, you can start the registration process in the app. However, you will need to use a mobile or computer browser to complete registration. Create an account by providing your email address and creating a password.
  • If you are using the Netflix Android app, you will receive an email from Netflix with the link. Click the link to complete the registration process on Netflix.com using your mobile or computer browser.
  • Choose a subscription plan that suits your preferences. Remember, you can always change your plans later if needed.
  • Enter your preferred payment method.

That’s it! You are now ready to start streaming on Netflix. enjoy!

Leave no trace trailer

Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on this website is provided in good faith, but we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on this website.

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