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Wildlife 2018

In 1960s Montana, a raging forest fire looms over a small town, disrupting the lives of Jeanette and her teenage son, Joe. Their lives are further complicated when Joe's father and Jeanette's husband, a golf pro, leaves to fight the fire, abandoning them to face financial hardship and emotional turmoil. Jeanette struggles to provide for her son while Joe grapples with the absence of a parental figure and navigates a changing family dynamic.

In 1960s Montana, a raging forest fire looms over a small town, disrupting the lives of Jeanette and her teenage son, Joe. Their lives are further complicated when Joe's father and Jeanette's husband, a golf pro, leaves to fight the fire, abandoning them to face financial hardship and emotional turmoil. Jeanette struggles to provide for her son while Joe grapples with the absence of a parental figure and navigates a changing family dynamic.

Does Wildlife have end credit scenes?

No!

Wildlife does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Wildlife

Explore the complete cast of Wildlife, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Wildlife

See how Wildlife is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Wildlife stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

77

In terms of its overall execution, Wildlife excels in its visual craft and central performances but is tempered by a deliberate pace and occasional narrative predictability. Reviews consistently highlight the director’s assured compositional style and the depth of the lead actress’s portrayal, while noting that the understated plot can feel measured to the point of reserve. The film’s meditative quality yields an experience that is more contemplative than instantly engaging, resulting in a net impression of an artful, character-driven drama with modest momentum.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Wildlife

85
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates assured directorial control and evocative cinematography. The restrained compositions unfold with an understated color palette, from twilight plains to softly lit interiors, creating a cohesive visual rhythm. Direction maintains a poised elegance, letting frames breathe without overt flourish. The result is a production design that consistently supports the film’s contemplative atmosphere.

88
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

In terms of character and emotion, the film is anchored by a nuanced lead performance that conveys subtle shifts in inner life. Scenes balance measured dialogue with emotive gestures, allowing character relationships to surface organically. The supporting cast contributes depth to the household dynamic, even when some transitions test plausibility. Overall, the emotional resonance remains a compelling aspect of the drama.

70
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with a deliberate tempo that emphasizes reflection over momentum. The plot’s midcentury setting offers period authenticity, yet certain beats feel aligned with familiar dramatic patterns, reducing the sense of novelty. Pacing choices underscore the family’s unraveling but can render engagement sporadic. Net, the script strikes a balance between thoughtful observation and conventional structure.

80
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a cohesive visual style marked by a subtle color scheme and gentle sound design. The score underlines emotional undercurrents without overwhelming the images, while ambient audio complements the rural setting. Visual transitions and soundscapes work in tandem to maintain tonal unity. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the film’s subdued, introspective mood.

60
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s reflective pace and nuanced details invite reconsideration, though its subdued momentum may limit eagerness for multiple viewings. The layered compositions and restrained performances reward careful attention, offering new observations on repeated watches. However, the film’s understated tone may not sustain broader replay appeal. Ultimately, replay interest rests on appreciation for subtle craftsmanship.

Metacritic

80

Metascore

7.4

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

94%

TOMATOMETER

review

71%

User Score

IMDb

6.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

66

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.6

From 151 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Awards & Nominations for Wildlife

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Wildlife, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Wildlife and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


24th Critics' Choice Awards 2019

Ed Oxenbould
Nomination

Best Young Actor/Actress

Ed Oxenbould

34th Film Independent Spirit Awards 2019

Carey Mulligan
Nomination

Best Female Lead

Carey Mulligan
Paul Dano
Nomination

Best First Feature

Paul Dano
Nomination

Best Cinematography

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Wildlife

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Wildlife. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Clip "Names"

Clip "Fools"

Clip "Beauty"

Official Teaser

:60 Second Trailer

Carey Mulligan - TV Spot

Jake Gyllenhaal - TV Spot

U.S. Dramatic Competition: Wildlife

TIFF 2018 Cast and Crew Q&A

Cars Featured in Wildlife

See 26 more

Explore all cars featured in Wildlife, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1947

Super

Cadillac

1956

Coupe DeVille

Cadillac

1961

Coupe DeVille

Cadillac

1960

Eldorado Seville

Chevrolet

1947

Advance-Design

Chevrolet

1951

Advance-Design 3100

Chevrolet

1954

Advance-Design 3100

Chevrolet

1954

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1950

Fleetline Special

Chevrolet

1940

Master 85

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


husband wife relationshipcoming of ageadulteryunemploymentmother son relationshipextramarital affairteenage boymelodramaslice of lifephotographyfather son relationshipfirefighterbustitle spoken by characterf ratedone word titlefailing marriagegreat falls montanadirectorial debutmontanaforest firefootballpart time jobcigarette smokinggolfcountry clubfirefired from a joblosing a jobringing telephonewatching tvswimming poolswimming lessonphotographerdancingkissslapped in the facemother slaps her sonletterportrait photographposing for a photographphotography studiophotography assistantcheating on a testamericanacheating wifemarriagejob terminationunfaithfulnessamerican football

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