Into the Wild

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2:25

Into the Wild

R

Released Sep 21, 2007

2h 27m

Biography

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

A top student and athlete leaves his middle-class life to venture into Alaska, only to meet people who will eventually shape his values and life.

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Critics Consensus

With his sturdy cast and confident direction, Sean Penn has turned a complex work of non-fiction like Into the Wild into an accessible and poignant character study.

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David Fear

Blender

Anyone who’s read Jon Krakauer’s best-selling nonfiction account knows the details, but actually seeing McCandless’s travels is still thrilling. Yet... are we supposed to salute this foray into the wild or shake our heads at the sheer idiocy?

Sep 8, 2023

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Tim Robey

Sight & Sound

Even Penn's more indulgent flourishes seem to enhance the film's keen feeling.

Jul 6, 2010

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Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

Penn's main idea about going native is making eye contact with a deer.

Rated: C

Feb 22, 2008

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JD Duran

InSession Film

This is perhaps the best performance of Emile Hirsch’s career and he does a really great job of bringing this character to life.

Rated: A

Aug 16, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Shot by cinematographer Eric Gautier, Penn’s film is beautifully realized, with full attention to the sublime beauty that Chris loves and respects.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 8, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Into the Wild is especially memorable in the manner in which it offers no absolutes.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 21, 2023

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Mike V

Insane kid. Needed help but father too insane himself to recognize it. Rich kid gives away big money to get away from the madness. At least Kerouac had a decent plan to survive while escaping the madness. This was a waste.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Giovanni P

This is the kind of movie that will stay with you for a long time. Perfect casting, amazing cinematography, great editing and the scenery is spectacular. Very few films of capture the vastness and spirit of America the way this one does. But at the heart of the story is a young man searching for himself. and what he ends up finding is heartbreaking. A beautiful story well told.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

Full Review

Ben S

Everyone has felt the sensation to pack up and leave everything behind, but few actually do it. This is a raw look at what that looks like. The soul-crushing lows, and the breath-taking highs. As always, when you ride that wave there are consequences. Important film and story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

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Koro S

Natural Selection: The Movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Lucky01

Into the Wild – Stunning visuals, strong lead performance, decent soundtrack. Overall, left with mixed feelings.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Helen w

Stunningly beautiful film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

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Sean Penn

Director

Emile Hirsch

Christopher McCandless

Marcia Gay Harden

Billie McCandless

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Into the Wild: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

A top student and athlete leaves his middle-class life to venture into Alaska, only to meet people who will eventually shape his values and life.

Director: Sean Penn
Producer: Sean Penn, Art Linson, Bill Pohlad
Screenwriter: Sean Penn
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: River Road, Paramount Vantage, Art Linson Productions
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.4M
Runtime: 2h 27m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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