"The Woodsman" is a 2004 American drama film directed by Nicole Kassell and starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, and Mos Def. The movie tells the story of Walter, a convicted paedophile who is released from prison after 12 years and returns to his hometown.
Walter, played by Kevin Bacon, moves into a small apartment and gets a job at a lumberyard. He tries to keep a low profile and avoid attention, but his past quickly catches up with him. His co-worker Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick) becomes suspicious of his behavior and starts to ask questions. Meanwhile, a teenage girl named Robin (Hannah Pilkes) catches his eye, and he becomes obsessed with her.
As Walter struggles to come to terms with his past and control his urges, he attends therapy sessions with his parole officer, played by Mos Def. He begins to confront the abuse he suffered as a child and the reasons why he turned to pedophilia. However, his attempts to start a new life are threatened when a police detective begins to investigate him and, eventually, he is forced to face the consequences of his actions.
"The Woodsman" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of sexual abuse and the possibility of redemption. Kevin Bacon's performance as Walter is nuanced and understated, capturing the character's inner turmoil and struggle to find a place in the world. The movie raises important questions about the nature of forgiveness and the possibility of rehabilitation, while never shying away from the devastating impact of abuse on its victims.