Poster for The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

2011, Drama, 2h 18m

294 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

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. Read critic reviews

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The Tree of Life Photos

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Movie Info

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.

Cast & Crew

Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Mr. O'Brien
Sean Penn
Sean Penn
Jack
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain
Mrs. O'Brien
Fiona Shaw
Fiona Shaw
Grandmother
Irene Bedard
Irene Bedard
Messenger
Jessica Fuselier
Jessica Fuselier
Guide
Hunter McCracken
Hunter McCracken
Young Jack
Laramie Eppler
Laramie Eppler
R.L.
Tye Sheridan
Tye Sheridan
Steve
Terrence Malick
Terrence Malick
Director
Terrence Malick
Terrence Malick
Screenwriter
Sarah Green
Sarah Green
Producer
Bill Pohlad
Bill Pohlad
Producer
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Producer
Dede Gardner
Dede Gardner
Producer
Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Producer
Donald Rosenfeld
Donald Rosenfeld
Executive Producer
Emmanuel Lubezki
Emmanuel Lubezki
Cinematographer
Jack Fisk
Jack Fisk
Production Design
Mark Yoshikawa
Mark Yoshikawa
Film Editing
Hank Corwin
Hank Corwin
Film Editing
Jay Rabinowitz
Jay Rabinowitz
Film Editing
Daniel Rezende
Daniel Rezende
Film Editing
Billy Weber
Billy Weber
Film Editing
Alexandre Desplat
Alexandre Desplat
Original Music
Jacqueline West
Jacqueline West
Costume Design
Francine Maisler
Francine Maisler
Casting
Vicky Boone
Vicky Boone
Casting
David Crank
David Crank
Art Director
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News & Interviews for The Tree of Life

Trey Edward Shults’ Five Favorite Films
Trey Edward Shults’ Five Favorite Films
Sean Penn’s 10 Best Movies
Sean Penn’s 10 Best Movies
Brad Pitt’s 10 Best Movies
Brad Pitt’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for The Tree of Life

All Critics (294) | Top Critics (81) | Fresh (248) | Rotten (46)
Full Review… Adam Nayman The Ringer Full Review… Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Full Review… Deborah Ross The Spectator Full Review… Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Full Review… Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Michael Atkinson Sight & Sound Full Review… Ezequiel Boetti EscribiendoCine Full Review… Diego Batlle Otroscines.com Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Sergi Sánchez Fotogramas Full Review… Rosa Parra Latinx Lens Full Review… Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast
View All Critic Reviews (294)

Audience Reviews for The Tree of Life

  • Jul 03, 2016
    20 minutes of a family dealing with grief. 120 minutes of shots of leaves and trees and sunlight and waves 2 minutes of dinosaurs
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 27, 2016
    A cinematic mistake and mess in every conceivable way, The Tree of Life is only worth watching for it's stunning visuals. Everything else is incoherent, lacks focus, or just feels overly complicated to point of comedy. I understood what the movie was attempting to say and do - it just didn't understand it itself.
    Matthew M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 01, 2013
    Scathing review to follow once ive thought of how to write it without obscenities.
    Justin F Super Reviewer
  • Apr 07, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
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