East of Eden

Play trailer

East of Eden

PG

1955

1h 55m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this film based on John Steinbeck's epic novel, Cal Trask (James Dean), the son of a California farmer (Raymond Massey), feels that his father cares only about his brother, Aron (Richard Davalos). When Cal embarks on a business venture to gain the favor of his dad, he finds himself dealing with his estranged mother (Jo Van Fleet), now the owner of a brothel, and tensions in the family rise even further when he begins to fall for Aron's girlfriend, Abra (Julie Harris).

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

East of Eden strains to swell its story to epic dimensions, but James Dean's riveting performance gives this CinemaScope drama much of its raging heart.

Read Critics Reviews

Basil Taylor

Sight & Sound

03/17/2020

The film ends on a flagrant miscalculation which typifies Kazan at his worst.

Go to Full Review

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

01/03/2018

It's far from a dull movie, but it's certainly a very strange one; it's an enshrinement of the mixed-up kid.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

11/01/2007

John Steinbeck's painful biblical allegory -- Genesis replayed in Monterey, California, circa 1917 -- is more palatable on the screen, thanks to the down-to-earth performances of James Dean as Cal/Cain and Richard Davalos as Aron/Abel.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

08/10/2023

3.5/4

After testing various performers (including a newcomer named Paul Newman), Elia Kazan went with the unknown James Dean, a move that immediately yielded dividends.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

06/11/2023

The film is set in 1917 but Dean feels completely modern and contemporary, a boy not quite comfortable in his body.

Go to Full Review

Jason Delgado

Film Threat

04/06/2023

7/10

Jimmy Dean, as they called him, will stand the test of time due to his powerful on-screen presence because once a star is born on celluloid, they live on forever.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies 5d

Though the least interesting and successful film of Dean’s career this is still another outstanding Dean performance. I felt some of the melodrama was too much but Raymond Massey, Richard Davalos, Jo Van Fleet and Julie Harris are incredibly sublime. Sometimes compelling, sometimes lagging.

See more

Markus A

@Excalibur866 Jun 14

What is this actually trying to prove. At odds with the novel it became a vehicle for a mumbling, stumbling, hands in pocket, sulky James Dean kicking stones in every scene. A classic writer’s work reduced to fodder for a poorly performing naive actor who is trying to ‘out-Brando’ Brando which only Brando can do with pathetic repetition. Some good characters in this but it is over-shadowed by the overly-hyped and inadequate Dean’s performance.

See more

Ede H.

@EdeJean Jan 1

I loved the book. The movie didn’t live up to that. Great acting, good story, just not enough.

See more

Meri S.

@mschroeder Sep 21

A movie of its time; very melodramatic. Not a fan that so many prominent characters were cut out of the movie and took some different approaches that didn’t follow the classic novel.

See more

Luke S

@RT54699090 08/08/2025

Coming of age can be challenging - especially when your father and twin brother have pigeonholed you as bad. Melodrama abounds. It doesn't nearly capture all the beauty of Steinbeck's novel, but it gives it a good shot.

See more

Lisa L

@RT96429402 07/09/2025

After reading the book, I can not recommend watching the movie. There are so many elements of the book that are left out. The supporting character in the book, "Lee," isn't even part of the movie. Not sure why. The ending is missing so much. Very disappointed!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Elia Kazan

Director

James Dean

Cal Trask

Julie Harris

Abra

Raymond Massey

Adam Trask

Jo Van Fleet

Kate

Burl Ives

Sam the Sheriff

A Streetcar Named Desire

97%

89%

A Streetcar Named Desire

Watchlist

Casablanca

99%

95%

Casablanca

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Casablanca

Cool Hand Luke

100%

95%

Cool Hand Luke

Watchlist

Picnic

45%

55%

Picnic

Watchlist

Chariots of Fire

84%

80%

Chariots of Fire

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this film based on John Steinbeck's epic novel, Cal Trask (James Dean), the son of a California farmer (Raymond Massey), feels that his father cares only about his brother, Aron (Richard Davalos). When Cal embarks on a business venture to gain the favor of his dad, he finds himself dealing with his estranged mother (Jo Van Fleet), now the owner of a brothel, and tensions in the family rise even further when he begins to fall for Aron's girlfriend, Abra (Julie Harris).

Director: Elia Kazan
Producer: Elia Kazan
Screenwriter: Paul Osborn, John Steinbeck
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2007
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings