The Light Between Oceans

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2:25

The Light Between Oceans

PG-13

2016

2h 13m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

236 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Tom is a World War I veteran who maintains a lighthouse off the shore of Australia with his wife Isabel, a woman desperate to have a baby. Her prayers are answered when an infant washes up on shore in a rowboat. Tom thinks they should notify the authorities but ultimately gives in to Isabel's wish to keep the girl. Fate strikes again when the couple meet the child's biological mother on the mainland. Now, Tom and Isabel must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of four people.

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Critics Consensus

The Light Between Oceans presents a well-acted and handsomely mounted adaptation of its bestselling source material, but ultimately tugs on the heartstrings too often to be effective.

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Kristen Lopez

Culturess

With strong acting as its anchor, breathtaking cinematography accompanies this tale guaranteed to tug on those heartstrings.

Nov 20, 2017

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

From lesser actors, the story would have definitely become the worst Nicholas Sparks film adaptation ever. But they make you feel for them, even when they're making poor life decisions that you know will end miserably.

Rated: B+

Mar 21, 2017

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Instead of tear-jerking, this approach eventually sees the audience dry-eyed with irritation.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 6, 2016

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

In the medium of film, the clinchers that aid in the ability to embrace and appreciate a melodrama are its tone and the acting performances. “The Light Between Oceans” flourishes to accomplish both benchmarks.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 20, 2025

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Cianfrance's entire film feels like an open wound that would heal if only the characters could stop and behave rationally, but rationality has no place in a melodrama.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 11, 2022

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

A story like The Light Between Oceans, used age-appropriately, of course, could provide parents and teachers with a powerful opportunity to talk about how making good decisions isn't always easy...

Aug 26, 2021

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Jim H

I struggled to suspend my disbelief in the premise, but the acting, cinematography, and music score were sublime, making the film a fine experience.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

ALL- C

This movie isn’t getting enough love here. A simple yet harrowing tale that is refreshingly original and authentic. The actors come across as passionate and all the accompanies the somber shoots is a calm and tranquil underscore. It’s a brilliant movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

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Steven G

This damn movie ripped the heart out of me. In a good way. I guess. Excellent! 4.5 stars.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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LacosteTK N

Like Anime Movies Before It. It's Emotional, Driven By The Most Talented Actors Of Our Time, They Should've Won Ascars For This, I Cried Like a Baby When This Movie Ended, The Cinematography Is Perfection, The Music, And Everything In Between Is Done Perfectly. I Will Recommend This Movie For Generations To Come. 100/100

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/24

Full Review

Weighty Connected L

"You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day, all the time. You have to keep remembering the bad things. It's too much work." All of us fallen human beings, living in a fallen world, have experienced hurt and have seen pain, leading us to make wrong decisions; but God, through love, brings us together more than anything. This 2016 film by Derek Cianfrance, which is an adaptation of a novel, is beautiful, with a story that's woven to tug at your heart and feel for the characters. The leads (Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz) were great at their performances, the music is touching and moving, and the cinematography is excellent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

steve d

A bit melodramatic but the actors make it work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Derek Cianfrance

Director

Michael Fassbender

Tom Sherbourne

Alicia Vikander

Isabel Graysmark

Rachel Weisz

Hannah Roennfeldt

Bryan Brown

Septimus Potts

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Ralph Addicott

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The Light Between Oceans: Trailer 1

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The Light Between Oceans: International Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Tom is a World War I veteran who maintains a lighthouse off the shore of Australia with his wife Isabel, a woman desperate to have a baby. Her prayers are answered when an infant washes up on shore in a rowboat. Tom thinks they should notify the authorities but ultimately gives in to Isabel's wish to keep the girl. Fate strikes again when the couple meet the child's biological mother on the mainland. Now, Tom and Isabel must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of four people.

Director: Derek Cianfrance
Producer: David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford
Screenwriter: Derek Cianfrance
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Heyday Films, Participant Media
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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