1st , the viewer must ignore wolf behavior & treat this as fictional fantasy story tale. In film, Wolf is much better & cleverer at survival than human teen lead. This is not like previous caveman type films with guts, gore, skin & predictable plot. Instead, it's a great emotional story based on some past nature facts B. C, life & weather made human survival very difficult. Many wolf facts are truly fictionalized to point of fantasy. Good solid acting from lead teen who is forced to survive without his tribe. He lives bc he is supposedly "kind" in this kill or be killed era, causing him to befriend a wolf. This wolf that he stabs in self defense allows him to heal the wound. Wolf is clearly better at everything esp hunting, & had more common sense like sustaining heat. Taking wolf's kills & feeding same wolf cooked meat is laughable & pure fantasy. Wolf also doesn't hold a grudge against the human who inflicted the stabbing either = fantasy. Duo encounters other creatures in teen's long trek home, & a trust bond is too quickly created, fantasy again, teen names wolf keda meaning Alpha.

For Wolf lovers, this is a "must see" bc the wolf is revered in this film. The teen gets respectful explanation of how wolves live as pack & they are not demonized. Instead, his father as tribal leader admires wolves as great survivors & the alpha wolf as great leader. Disregard the modern docu wolf facts & you'll enjoy this film.

Like the Life of Pi, it features 2 main characters, human & predator with little dialogue, some stunning scenery, good score, moving the story tale incredibly well. The ending is a great twist but ruins few previous scenes if one is a stickler for nature facts. Other than several truly fictionalized / fantasy scenes re wolf behavior, the film has lots of heart & can be believable. Wolf is clearly a dog in film.

Good for whole family as violence is implied, & seen/explained as required for survival. If only modern man held same values, our planet would be a better place for all.