Across the Universe

PG-13

Released Sep 21, 2007

2 hr. 11 min.

Musical

Romance

List

53%

177 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.

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Critics Consensus

Psychedelic musical numbers can't mask Across the Universe's clichéd love story and thinly written characters.

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audrey

Love the Beatles, so this is one of my favorite movies. Psychedelic vibes, artistic, and good music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

Sean O

Absolutely one of the most confusingly stupid movies I've ever seen. I love the Beatles. This movie sucks.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

Full Review

Ian S

An interesting and artistic way to portray the amazing works of The Beatles through film. Very much enjoyed this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Jeremy N

Fun and delightful movie!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Shannon S

As a diehard Beatles fan, I adore this movie. I've seen it 20+ times and pick up additional Beatles references every time I watch. Love it. I understand that people who don't know a lot about the Beatles will not get this movie. But those who do will love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Daniel M

One of the best movies I've seen can't fault it at all so well made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/23

Full Review

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Julie Taymor

Director

Evan Rachel Wood

Lucy

Jim Sturgess

Jude

Joe Anderson

Max Carrigan

Dana Fuchs

Sadie

Martin Luther McCoy

Jo-Jo

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

39%

37%

Nine

37%

69%

Anything but Love

33%

29%

Song One

70%

38%

Absolute Beginners

40%

52%

Satisfaction

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

The Beatles already survived one attempt by Hollywood to turn them into kitsch -- 1978's infamous Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band -- and so you have to wonder what they did to deserve Across the Universe.

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

If you're a fan of the Beatles and their music, of unconventional musicals (this isn't Hairspray) or even of Bono (he has a couple of songs), this trippy trip Across the Universe is one you won't mind taking.

Rated: 4/5

May 13, 2009

Full Review

Bob Mondello

NPR.org

The imagery is pretty astonishing -- Taymor treats some of the more fantastical moments as if she were making big-screen music videos -- and it's all very intelligently done. But it's kind of a silly idea, very intelligently done

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Cinemanía Staff

Cinemanía (Spain)

It didn't have to be like that. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 2/5

Oct 16, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

Across the Universe proves to be a strikingly relevant experience...

Oct 1, 2020

Full Review

Jordi Costa

El Pais (Spain)

Imagine that an eminence of creative surgery kidnapped the love of his life to return it transformed into an exact replica of what they hate most. [Full Review in Spanish]

Mar 28, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.

Director: Julie Taymor
Executive Producer: Charles Newirth, Rudd Simmons, Derek Dauchy
Screenwriter: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Revolution Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Some Drug Content|Violence)
Genre: Musical, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.3M

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