The Tree of Life

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The Tree of Life

PG-13

Released May 27, 2011

2h 18m

Drama

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85%

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294 Reviews

60%

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50,000+ Ratings

In this highly philosophical film by acclaimed director Terrence Malick, young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is one of three brothers growing up as part of the O'Brien family in small-town Texas. Jack has a contentious relationship with his father (Brad Pitt), but gets along well with his beautiful mother (Jessica Chastain). As an adult, Jack (Sean Penn) struggles with his past and tries to make sense of his childhood, while also grappling with bigger existential issues.

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Critics Consensus

Terrence Malick's singularly deliberate style may prove unrewarding for some, but for patient viewers, Tree of Life is an emotional as well as visual treat.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Malick's earnest pretentiousness surely invites derisive laughter. But it also withstands it, and like the ancient evergreen of its title, it towers benevolently over less ambitious movies...

Apr 6, 2020

Full Review

Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

The Tree of Life in no way measured up.

Aug 27, 2019

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Ideally, you would bathe in a film like this without striving to decipher it. As it's a film about what we can't get our heads around, we are probably not meant to get our heads round it. But, even so, it is so audacious it will take your breath away.

Aug 31, 2018

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The film is more kaleidoscopic than linear, filled with privileged moments of magic and terror, of remembered shards of treasured memories that have become idealized snapshot, and moments that are more textured evocations of emotions and anxieties.

Apr 26, 2025

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

There are two distinct films being made here and while the opening frames of The Tree of Life are some of the finest in memory, there’s little in the middle-to-late section of the film worth noting.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 10, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

You may not be able to pinpoint with words how it all comes together, but the beauty and power of Malick’s imagery and impressionistic approach to filmmaking convey another ponderous picture, the director’s most ambitious and lyrical work yet.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 7, 2023

Full Review

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Gareth v

An overly abstract and pretentious film that it is an utter mess due to the fact it has no clear plot. A dire slog to the credits, if you haven't turned it off well beforehand.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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Susan T

Two hours of my life gone.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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George W

This is one of the greatest movies I'll ever see and easily Terrance Malick's best. If I could I'd give it ten stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Audience Member

I couldn't finish this. Why would you have this massive "life" montage that kills the momentum of the stories beginning and made me too disinterested to watch anymore of it. Reminded me of Kubrick's 2001- which doesn't play well in 2025. Love Brad and Sean and Jessica but this should have JUST been the story- which minus the montage- would've been meh, a period piece and not a great one at that. Another case of critic's not connecting with an actual audience. Not Keeping, and reviewed poorly.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

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HameZz O

One of the best shot movies. There's no denying that this film has some of the most beautiful shots. But story wise it feels thin. Obviously, this is just Malick's style. I do like the way he tells his story-the narration, and visual storytelling are all done well. Although, one can only take too much of something and to me it felt like it was all just drawn out and some things made very little sense to me. The Thin Red Line is in my opinion the best Malick film I've seen because it balances his visual storytelling, poetic narration, and it just actual storytelling through conversation between characters and events. I don't think that's called actual storytelling but that's what I'm calling it. Anyway good movie if you have the patience.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Vita S

This movie feels to me more like a documentary about loss and confusion. Religious doom and human spiritual, "lacrimosa" hope. I am definitely not getting all the subtext references that might make it more attractive but overall I think it's a movie worth a watch. It's sad contemplative style, its disconnected chronology, its difficult to grasp fil rouge made me wonder and kept me looking. As another review mentioned, it's a good collection of nostalgic, emotional and evocative frames. As another stated, it's like two parallel movies together. It brought me tears, peace, curiosity, it made me sleepy and a bit bored but maybe that's not a bad thing as it softly tickled my imagination and reflection with its meditative picture, solemn music and scattered narration. I wouldn't say it's engaging but it will keep me thinking a little bit.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

Full Review

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Mr. O'Brien

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Jack

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Synopsis

In this highly philosophical film by acclaimed director Terrence Malick, young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is one of three brothers growing up as part of the O'Brien family in small-town Texas. Jack has a contentious relationship with his father (Brad Pitt), but gets along well with his beautiful mother (Jessica Chastain). As an adult, Jack (Sean Penn) struggles with his past and tries to make sense of his childhood, while also grappling with bigger existential issues.

Director: Terrence Malick
Producer: Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill
Screenwriter: Terrence Malick
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Cottonwood Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.3M
Runtime: 2h 18m

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