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Trailer

The Tree of Life

2011Movie2 h 19 minPG-13

Drama
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb6.8Metacritic857.1Rotten Tomatoes86%60%

A slow-burning, deeply moving drama movie about family and growing up, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for teens · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs or scares.

Movies with

Story

Nothing stands still.

The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.

Feels like

  • Meditative Family Drama
  • Spiritual & Philosophical
  • Visually Stunning
  • Coming-of-Age
  • Existential Reflection
  • American South
  • Memory & Loss
  • Intimate & Epic
  • Art House

Cast

24 of 25

Crew

Directed by
Terrence Malick
Written by
Terrence Malick
Produced by
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Bill Pohlad
Music by
Alexandre Desplat

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 17, 2011 · 2 h 19 min · PG-13

Released
May 17, 2011
Runtime
2 h 19 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama, Fantasy
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$32 million
Box office
$55 million
Available in
53 countries

Tropes

Abusive Parents, Angst, Age-Appropriate Angst +9

  • Abusive Parents
  • Angst
  • Age-Appropriate Angst
  • Arc Words
  • As the Good Book Says...
  • Blessed with Suck
  • Bookends
  • Decoy Protagonist
  • Mother Nature, Father Science
  • Tempting Fate
  • Vision Quest
  • What Happened to the Mouse?

12 of 43 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Tree of Life?"

Questions about The Tree of Life

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Tree of Life?

Disney+Hulu

In the United States, The Tree of Life streams on Disney+ and Hulu. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 37 other countries.

Is The Tree of Life worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 85). Critics rate it higher (86 out of 100) than audiences (66).

Is The Tree of Life okay for kids?

PG-13

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Can I half-watch The Tree of Life?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 9 for ambiguity.

Is The Tree of Life plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does The Tree of Life use?

Abusive ParentsAngstAge-Appropriate AngstArc WordsAs the Good Book Says...Blessed with SuckBookendsDecoy ProtagonistMother Nature, Father ScienceTempting FateVision QuestWhat Happened to the Mouse?and 31 more

TV Tropes lists 43 tropes for it, including Abusive Parents, Angst, and Age-Appropriate Angst.