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Wild

Play trailer Poster for Wild R 2014 1h 55m Biography Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 274 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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Wild

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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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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 1, 2017
C+
But despite its unclear message, there is a certain charm to Wild that smooths away its thorny exterior to reveal a broken character... Go to Full Review
Jason Bailey Flavorwire Jun 7, 2016
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. Go to Full Review
David Sims The Atlantic Oct 14, 2015
It captures an emotional memoir without making it feel like a didactic tale of triumph over adversity. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Nov 16, 2024
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. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Jul 13, 2022
3/4
Witherspoon's performance is outstanding. Go to Full Review
Q.V. Hough Vague Visages Jun 27, 2022
Reese Witherspoon gives an Oscar-worthy performance in Wild, and the cinematography is beautiful, however Vallée’s tight direction prevents the film from becoming a “connect the dots” of emotion and redemption. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Frans B @FransB 1 day ago Jean-Marc Vallée directed this very well. Reese Witherspoon shines convincingly in character. Great storytelling and account of true events, albeit heavily dramatized. Good cinematography adds depth and ambiance. Life lessons to be learned here, lots of them. See more Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 1 day ago Wild, adapted by Nick Hornby from the travel memoir by Cheryl Strayed, is the movie The Way (2010) could have been, if Emilio had been more imaginative. It works where the earlier movie didn't because it takes us inside its protagonist's head, into her memories (an abundance of flashbacks), for what are such journeys into the wild if not opportunities to get in touch with ourselves. It is also a far more demanding trek, the PCT, replete with wild camping, severe weather, creatures and weirdos, and the oppressive weight of past transgressions, not to mention a monster backpack. Any movie that takes El condor pasa as its anthem has got to be pretty great. Look out for Cheryl's cameo at the beginning. See more Robert P @Superbad 1 day ago Wild = a *4* star Movie! See more Mario R @MarioRedpill Aug 16, 2026 Terrible movie and so boring. She jumps from man to man and then spirals into drugs as well. Really awful and a complete waste of time. See more Mate P @matepolcz Jul 12, 2026 Wild is a good film, but I didn't feel connected to it. That's probably because I'm too young to do so. The characters are well-written, the story is good, but predictable except for the little things. The people she meets during the journey was tricky. I always fell for the directing. The cinematography and editing are good, but not exceptional. The cast is fitting and the performances are strong, especially Reese Witherspoon. See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom May 10, 2026 Wild is a powerful adventure film that blends emotional storytelling with a raw, grounded journey through nature. It presents a personal and reflective experience that feels both intimate and expansive. The cinematography captures both the beauty and harshness of the wilderness, making every step of the journey feel real and immersive. The performances are deeply convincing, carrying the emotional weight of the story without ever feeling forced. At its core, the film is about endurance, reflection, and personal growth. It balances quiet moments with intense challenges, creating a thoughtful exploration of resilience without needing to rely on spectacle. Overall, it’s a gripping and meaningful adventure film that stays with you after it ends. I rate it a 9/10 for its emotional depth, strong lead performance, and stunning natural visuals. See more Read all reviews
Wild

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Movie Info

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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