Metacritic Movie Ratings
Into the Wild Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 100

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  Spellbinding.

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• 91

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  The beauty of Into the Wild, which Penn has written and directed with magnificent precision and imaginative grace, is that what Christopher is running from is never as important as what he's running TO.

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• 88

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  Captivating and multifaceted.

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• 80

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  Though Penn's fierce identification with the protagonist is a key source for the film's accomplishments, Into the Wild succeeds on screen because Hirsch ("Alpha Dog," "The Lords of Dogtown") throws himself into the part without reservation, projecting an appealing openness and life force that brings a special poignancy to his fate.

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• 80

  out of 100

  The New York TimesA.O. Scott

  Though the film's structure may be tragic, its spirit is anything but.

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• 80

  out of 100

  Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

  From seductive start to shattering finish, the film is as stirring, entertaining and steadfastly thrilling as it is beautiful.

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• 70

  out of 100

  VarietyDennis Harvey

  Sean Penn delivers a compelling, ambitious work that will satisfy most admirers of the book.

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• 60

  out of 100

  The Hollywood Reporter

  Penn opts for epic proportions and clutters his narrative with gimmicks. For the most part, it works. What's missing is the perspective and insight that would illuminated the inner dimensions of a driven young man who is preachy and downright irritating.

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See all Into the Wild movie reviews at Metacritic.com