‎Into the Wild (2007) directed by Sean Penn • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

Into the Wild

2007 Directed by Sean Penn

Into the heart. Into the soul.

The true story of top student and athlete, Christopher McCandless, who after graduating from Emory University in 1992, abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness.

Emile Hirsch Marcia Gay Harden William Hurt Jena Malone Brian H. Dierker Catherine Keener Vince Vaughn Kristen Stewart Hal Holbrook Thure Lindhardt Signe Egholm Olsen Cheryl Francis Harrington Zach Galifianakis Robin Mathews Steven Wiig Bryce Walters R. D. Call Haley Ramm Merritt Wever John Jabaley Leonard Knight Timothy Levine Parris Mosteller J. Nathan Simmons Haley Sweet

148 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Martin Jensen ★★½ 8

I know several people whose opinions I respect that have loved this film and even rate it among their favourites, but having read the book and now having seen the movie I’m still at the same conclusion, that Chris McCandless was at times an insufferable prick who believed he was some divine combination of Thoreau and Jack London. He didn’t deserve to die for this stupidity (many his age think they're indestructible) but he doesn’t deserve to be mythologised either. Sean Penn’s script and direction shows how little of an actual story there is here, as he ends up relying on montages of scenery set to music and voiceover to fill space. (The book had a similar problem - there’s…
Review by Miss T. ★★★★★ 19

I cannot possibly BEGIN to describe my feelings towards this story, or perhaps the whole concept of what McCandless did. After watching the movie, I could not think of anything but a strange longing to do what he did, and it just kept going. I still feel that way, even now, as I think of it. Later, I read the book twice, and did a lot of research about McCandless, and I became more and more inspired. This is not just a movie - it is a wonder of creation. I have so much more to say, but I'll just stop here - watch the movie even if you are not inspired by what McCandless did - it is a beautiful movie in many ways.
Review by Dirk van Eck ★★★½ 9

Dirk van Eck is a geography student who does not like, probably hates, to travel. But he loves Into the Wild! With an abstract that has ‘doomed to fail’ written all over it, the movie, and its leading actor Emile Hirsch, the movie surprises beyond imagination by actually emotionally engaging its viewer. Two and a half hours long, and thus deliberately aiming to ‘be’ epic, Into the Wild leads one through a series of bittersweet, nervous, whimsical, curious, risky, banal and passionate moments between different people, sometimes mere strangers, or just between the protagonist and his surroundings. It is a film that feels much more genuine than any comparable alternative, mainly because of director Sean Penn’s - who truly outdoes…
Review by Naughty aka Juli Norwood ★★★★ 6

A poignant true life story of a young man trying to find his true self! The journey is beautiful but like life it is filled with obstacles, challenges and tragedy!

I can't think of a time I haven't wanted to leave society behind, ditch the grid and fly under the radar as I traipse through the woods or beaches barefoot feeling the sand between my toes!

Then I realized I'd have to hunt prey, kill it, clean it, cook it and on top of that I'd have to fetch and haul wood, start a fire, haul water from a lake or river, boil it before I could drink it! Just thinking about that wears me out! Thank god for frozen…
Review by Peaceful Stoner ★★★★★ 16

My God. The concept, the look at life, the songs, the lines in the songs,the soothing music , the dialogues, the edifying quotes, the characters and the picturesque nature shown in this film make it more than a film. It makes this, the ULTIMATE PHILOSOPHICAL EXPERIENCE. Everything is so beautiful and when Emile Hirsch sheds tears in the last scene, you cannot control breaking down.
Review by SilentDawn ★★★★ 2

Into the Wild is a wondrous and breathtaking journey, taking the viewer on a spiritual quest that feels just as life-affirming and joyous as any film that I have seen. Emile Hirsch just kills it in the lead role, cementing my opinion that he's one of the most underrated actors working today.

I don't have much more to say about it. Into the Wild is a personal experience, one that will work much better when viewed alone.

Recent reviews

Review by amiibro ★★★★★

if Han Solo grew up on earth lmao
Review by Volsufrick ★★★★★

Watching this movie was such a great experience. I love the story and I love the way it was told. It's an emotional movie with lots of depths. Everyone can learn something from it.
Review by tulin ★★★★

O livro é melhor
o filme é legalzinho
Review by Jack Moulton ★★★★

I used to really adore this film. I remember watching it at least 5 times in 2008. I haven't revisited it often since (and to be honest it feels longer than I remember). It remains very cathartic. I adore the music, the acting and the photography. Just a perfect blend.

But man does the excellent editing hide how senseless the structure of this movie is. I still don't really get the chronology it's trying to achieve. Also, while I do feel like Chris is acting as a cautionary tale given the ending, it doesn't really know what it's doing with him when it does take time to glorify his ideas. I don't find it as disturbing as others (and this is my first viewing of the film in my 20s), but certainly a hindrance. I was tempted to give this a 9 based on the experience alone.
Review by egelscheet ★★★★½

WEES VRIJ EN LEEF, ZOLANG HET NOG KAN
Review by abbeyreviews ★★★

how did i watch this and not fucking realize kristen stewart is in it
Review by jackreader ★★½

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

I can see why this movie is as loved as it is, its a very well-made film and all, and I can tell there's moments that would destroy me if I could buy into the message it tries to have. I just can't though, the movie (like the book) feels like its trying too hard to glorify what McCandless did and show him as a powerful symbol the world should emulate, when honestly he comes off less like the and more like a misguided, pretentious and at times, stupid kid who thought too much of himself and his journey, went out unprepared only for his story and life to end tragically because of it.

tldr: well-made but the whole of what its about and what it tries to say keeps me from loving it
Review by aulia ★★★½

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

HOW DARE YOU?!! ALEX AND MR FRANZ DESERVES THEIR HAPPY ENDING!! IM CRYING SO MUCH! BITCH
Review by Nathan Faulls ★★★½

“when you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines through you.”

A film that displays the beauty of creation and humanity’s place in it.
I had trouble feeling engaged at times with the storytelling structure of the movie. A lot of montages and music tying together a large variety of locations and interactions. Regardless, it is a wonderful story that director Sean Penn told with care and honor.
Into the Wild is very personal and raw. This is well-conveyed through camerawork and the experiences of Christopher McCandless, brought to life by the impressive performance of Emile Hirsch. Even through the bitterness of situations, McCandless sees the beauty surrounding him.
His story is inspiring as well as cautionary. He challenges you to break away from the limits that society creates. You also are reminded of the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation over running away from hurt.