Life

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2:10

Life

R

2015

1h 52m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In 1955, young photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) develops a close bond with actor James Dean (Dane DeHaan) while shooting pictures of the rising Hollywood star.

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Critics Consensus

Life may frustrate viewers seeking a James Dean biopic with its subject's intensity, but it remains a diverting, well-acted effort assembled with admirable craft and ambition.

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Jessica Kiang

The Playlist

Dec 5, 2015

C+

Corbijn is great at taking real-life flesh and blood people and alchemically rendering them in striking 2-dimensional images that transcend and mythologize the reality, but "Life" shows him fall some way short of achieving the reverse.

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Liz Braun

Toronto Sun

Dec 4, 2015

3/5

Both Pattinson and DeHaan could have used more to do, but both actors put in performances that elevate the proceedings.

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Brad Wheeler

Globe and Mail

Dec 4, 2015

3/4

A moody, leisurely and occasionally frustrating piece of work ...

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Oct 9, 2020

A disappointment considering Corbijn's abilities (particularly when compared to his first and best effort, 2007's Control, another portrait of a tragic artist).

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Danielle Davenport

One Room With A View

May 16, 2019

3/5

Anton Corbijn's snapshot of a photographer and his muse is cool and well made. Unfortunately, in comparison to its tremendous cast, Life is underwhelming.

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Alison Rowat

The Herald (Scotland)

Aug 23, 2018

3/5

The unexpected delight here is Pattinson, who takes the character of Stock and shows every side of him, the unflattering ones included, to the camera.

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Lorenz L

@Lorenz1060 Sep 14, 2026

The screenplay writer should have been fired. Next, the casting director who decided that the egregiously untalented and grossly unattractive Dane DeHaan could come anywhere close to even suggesting the magic and intelligence and charisma of James Dean. Pattinson struggles through what he was handed. Kingsley is a cartoon. In 60+ years of movie-going, this is one of the lowest points.

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J T

@RT34448623 Aug 2, 2026

DeHaan and his monotone voice is nothing NEAR to what Jimmy actually sounded like...looked like he was Playing a Character not BEING the Character... what REAL Acting actually is... Sad, because Pattinson was Great as Dennis Stock An Opportunity Lost

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Beks C

@beks22 Mar 8, 2026

Dane DeHaan is great as James Dean, and I loved Robert Pattinson as Dennis Stock. I highly recommend the movie.

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andrea c

@Charst Feb 5, 2026

Racconto potenzialmente estremamente impattante che però non riesce veramente a colpire nel segno se non per piccoli tratti. Senza dubbio Pattinson e Dehaan offrono due ottime prove e dimostrano ancora una volta di essere buonissimi attori, pur in un film che non riesce ad esprimere tutto il potenziale emotivo che avrebbe. I dialoghi sono intensi ma resta costante un sottile strato di patina che impedisce allo spettatore di capire veramente chi sono i personaggi che sta guardando. Ovviamente ottima attenzione alla fotografia ed al lavoro di fotografo tra tentativo di non essere invadente ma necessità di cogliere l'anima del soggetto.

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Harald B

@RT07734394 Jun 16, 2023

Could they not find someone who looked remotely like James Dean?. Making him act like a challenged or autistic person did not help either.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Jun 5, 2023

As someone who knows little of James Dean except the legendary rebel persona, I found this an interesting portrait. I liked the photographer angle and thought the acting was decent.

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Anton Corbijn

Director

Robert Pattinson

Dennis Stock

Dane DeHaan

James Dean

Joel Edgerton

John Morris

Ben Kingsley

Jack Warner

Alessandra Mastronardi

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Synopsis

In 1955, young photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) develops a close bond with actor James Dean (Dane DeHaan) while shooting pictures of the rising Hollywood star.

Director: Anton Corbijn
Producer: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Christina Piovesan, Benito Mueller, Wolfgang Mueller
Screenwriter: Luke Davies
Distributor: Cinedigm
Production Co: See-Saw Films
Rating: R (Some Sexuality/Nudity|Language)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 4, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 7, 2016
Runtime: 1h 52m

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