Wild Life (2023)
85%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: NA
“Wild Life” is a documentary that takes us on a journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Chile and Argentina, while also telling the story of the Tompkins’ conservation efforts. The film manages to balance the challenges of land preservation and self-preservation, all while showcasing the indomitable spirit of the Tompkins and their unwavering dedication to their cause. While some critics may view it as a PR stunt, the film’s warmth and epic storytelling exemplify how it’s never too late to make big changes. It’s a love story, an adventure, and a call to action all rolled into one, and it’s sure to inspire eco-tourists to visit these beautiful regions and see the impact of conservation efforts firsthand. Overall, “Wild Life” is a beautifully told and affecting documentary that proves not all billionaires suck.
“Wild Life” is a documentary that will make you want to pack your bags and head straight to Chile and Argentina to experience the breathtaking scenery for yourself. The film tells the inspiring story of the Tompkins and their conservation efforts, but also highlights the sense of entitlement they have for themselves and their plans to save the earth through capitalism. While some critics found the film a bit too sanitized, it’s still an informative and affecting watch. Plus, the outdoor photography is simply stunning. Overall, “Wild Life” is a reminder that not all billionaires suck and that it’s never too late to make big changes.
Production Company(ies)
Disney+, Topical
Distributor
Picturehouse
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Disney+), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 33m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Documentary/Nature
Keyword(s)
starring Kristine Tompkins, Rick Ridgeway, Jimmy Chin, Claudio Alvarado, Michelle Bachelet, Dago Guzman, directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, written by N/A, documentary, nature, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Christy Lemire, Josh Kupecki, Michael Rechtshaffen, Randy Myers, Nick Allen, Esther Zuckerman, Oscar Goff, Lael Loewenstein, Robin Clifford, Aaron White, Sean P. Means, PG-13 rating, conservationist, love story, Patagonia, The North Face, Esprit, National Parks, Chile, Argentina, private land donation, Picturehouse, National Geographic, National Geographic Documentary Films, Little Monster Films.
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Rick Ridgeway – Self
Jimmy Chin – Self
Claudio Alvarado – Self
Michelle Bachelet – Self
Dago Guzman – Self
Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Producers: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Bob Eisenhardt, Anna Barnes
Production Company: National Geographic, National Geographic Documentary Films, Little Monster Films
Distributor: Picturehouse
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (3)
It’s so well made, and puts you in the middle of some really breathtaking scenery.
May 17, 2023
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
It’s a biographical portrait of the Tompkins, yes, but its focus is geared more toward their conservation and rewilding efforts and, more poignantly, toward Kristine.
April 27, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Josh Kupecki
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Wild Life is committed in equal measure to the formidable challenges of land preservation and self-preservation.
April 21, 2023
Michael Rechtshaffen
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Another breathtaking journey from Chin and Vasarhelyi, one that fits snugly in their canon about indomitable rule breakers who achieved greatness and broke their barriers by persistence and unwavering dedication.
April 19, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
TOP CRITIC
A warming, epic story that exemplifies how it’s not too late to make big changes.
April 17, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Nick Allen
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
A documentary that comes off mostly as a PR stunt.
April 14, 2023 | Rating: C
Esther Zuckerman
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
As corny as it sounds, it is as if the Tompkins were trying to save the world so they could continue to live in it together.
May 17, 2023
Oscar Goff
Boston Hassle
It’s beautifully told. A little shapeless, but still affecting.
May 17, 2023
Lael Loewenstein
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
One fascinating aspect of “Wild Life” is the sense of entitlement the Tompkins and Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, have for themselves and their lofty plans to save the earth through capitalism.
May 10, 2023 | Rating: B-
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
An inspiring true story about conservationism that proves not all billionaires suck. A bit too sanitized, likely due to the filmmakers relationship with their subject, but informative nonetheless. Outdoor photography is unsurprisingly excellent.
May 8, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Aaron White
Feelin’ Film Podcast
Watching the movie may prompt some adventurous eco-tourists to visit Chile and Argentina, to see if it’s as beautiful and wild as it looks on the screen.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sean P. Means
The Movie Cricket
This is not only an incredible story of environmental activism, but one of scrappy, rugged individuals not only scaling physical heights but succeeding against all odds in the business world. And it’s a love story.
May 3, 2023
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews…
Plot
WILD LIFE follows the love story of Kris and Doug Tompkins as they leave behind their successful outdoor brands to create National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina, culminating in the largest private land donation in history.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Wild Life features Kristine Tompkins, a conservationist who dedicated her life to protecting landscapes and creating National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina.
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