Wild

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Wild

R

2014

1h 55m

Biography

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

276 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Driven to the edge by the loss of her beloved mother (Laura Dern), the dissolution of her marriage and a headlong dive into self-destructive behavior, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) makes a decision to halt her downward spiral and put her life back together again. With no outdoors experience, a heavy backpack and little else to go on but her own will, Cheryl sets out alone to hike the Pacific Crest Trail -- one of the country's longest and toughest through-trails.

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Critics Consensus

Powerfully moving and emotionally resonant, Wild finds director Jean-Marc Vallée and star Reese Witherspoon working at the peak of their respective powers.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

But despite its unclear message, there is a certain charm to Wild that smooths away its thorny exterior to reveal a broken character...

Rated: C+

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

For all of the trouble 'Wild' takes to get into Strayed's head, you'd think they might've drafted filmmakers with a little bit more experience living in a place like that.

Jun 7, 2016

Full Review

David Sims

The Atlantic

It captures an emotional memoir without making it feel like a didactic tale of triumph over adversity.

Oct 14, 2015

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

While there is a conventional backbone to the story, it keeps us rooted in the experience of a single woman taking on a challenge that some veteran hikers fail to complete, never forgetting the vulnerability of doing it alone.

Nov 16, 2024

Full Review

Benjamín Harguindey

EscribiendoCine

As usual, Witherspoon is fearless, headstrong, and tireless. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Jan 17, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Witherspoon's performance is outstanding.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

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Madam D

Testing yourself is always a good idea when it can be beneficial. The beautiful scenery & Reese's terrific acting make this an impressive movie. Doing something so brave is life changing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/25

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Gareth v

A heartfelt but uneven journey film, lifted by Witherspoon’s performance and striking visuals.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Austyn P

Too much sex. I know it's there for a reason but dang.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

Joshua m

A tale of someone who has had a difficult life. This is a poignant film that is well directed and acted, and has something to say. Good outdoor scenery. It's not perfect. While I am not unsympathetic, it falls short in answering why we should care.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

Peter H

Watched this twice while at a hospital. My kidney stones had more personality than this. Ok, now to be serious, this movie goes nowhere and has nothing to tell. There is a reason nobody talks about this movie and it doesn't show up in any list whatsoever. Its mostly for women that want the true story feel. Its a compilation of depressing stuff where the journey is the goal. If you like to watch a downer with some lifeless tacked on romance in between, go for it. Have there been movies that have been much much better at this telling a journey and entertaining with a soul at the same time? Yes - see Trainspotting, or American Beauty, or Benjamin Button, even Dallas Buyers Club if you want another depressing shlock. Has this been Reese Witherspoons best performance? No, but it wants you to belive it is. The camera work is as boring and mundane as the entire thing. Watch something else.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Ares 4

This is easily one of Reese Witherspoon's best films and one of my favorite movies. It has an 88% approval rating, but it should be higher than that, because it just has excellent storytelling from start to finish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

Full Review

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Jean-Marc Vallée

Director

Reese Witherspoon

Cheryl Strayed

Laura Dern

Bobbi

Thomas Sadoski

Paul

Michiel Huisman

Jonathan

Gaby Hoffmann

Aimee

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83%

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Synopsis

Driven to the edge by the loss of her beloved mother (Laura Dern), the dissolution of her marriage and a headlong dive into self-destructive behavior, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) makes a decision to halt her downward spiral and put her life back together again. With no outdoors experience, a heavy backpack and little else to go on but her own will, Cheryl sets out alone to hike the Pacific Crest Trail -- one of the country's longest and toughest through-trails.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Producer: Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, Bill Pohlad
Screenwriter: Nick Hornby
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Pacific Standard
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Nudity|Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.7M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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