Year: 2015
Runtime: 85 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Johnson
Withdrawing from the world, James finds himself lost in a dreamlike realm of imagination and despair. A fragile connection with Val offers a glimmer of hope, but his resistance against his mother’s controlling nature pushes him deeper into an uncertain path. Within this mystical city, a cryptic guide appears, urging him to confront his inner demons and the harsh realities of his own struggles, ultimately forcing him to find his way.
Get a spoiler-free look at All the Wilderness (2015) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the quiet outskirts of civilization, James drifts through a forest that feels less like a location and more like a mirror for his inner turbulence. The trees, painted in muted greens and shadows, echo the wilderness his father once described—a place where grief and imagination intertwine. With each step, the world blurs, pulling him toward a realm that balances on the edge of dream and despair. This lingering sense of being lost sets the stage for a story that is as much about the spaces we inhabit as the emotions that populate them, hinting at a journey that will demand both surrender and resolve.
The unnamed city that eventually embraces him pulses with a restless energy, its neon veins and rain‑slick streets offering anonymity and possibility in equal measure. Here, Val appears—a bright, restless spirit whose presence flickers like a fleeting melody, offering a fragile tether to something steadier. At home, mother’s well‑meaning but controlling influence pushes against his desire for freedom, prompting therapeutic sessions that feel more like corridors of stalled conversation than true healing. A cryptic guide, part philosopher, part mystic, surfaces amid the urban haze, urging him to look inward even as the city’s endless soundtrack swells around him.
The tone of the film rests in a delicate balance between melancholy and wonder, bathing the narrative in soft, ambient hues while allowing moments of sharp, lyrical insight to cut through. As James navigates the liminal space between the forest’s quietude and the city’s restless pulse, he encounters companions like Harmon, a street musician whose notes echo his own searching heart, and Crystal, whose fluid sense of self adds layers of colour to his evolving world. The story promises a contemplative trek through inner demons and external realities, inviting the audience to wonder what it means to confront the wilderness within while the world around us continues its silent, ever‑watchful spin.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 04:48
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Young characters journey through cityscapes to process grief and find themselves.For viewers who liked the introspective city journey in All the Wilderness, this collection features similar movies about young characters processing grief and finding themselves. Discover other films where protagonists wander through urban landscapes, connecting with unconventional friends to confront their inner turmoil.
These narratives typically follow a young, often grieving protagonist who feels disconnected from the world. Their journey is internal, mapped onto the external landscape of a city, where chance encounters and new friendships act as catalysts for slow, painful, and ultimately uncertain self-discovery.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a melancholic, introspective mood, a slow, contemplative pacing, and the use of the city as a character in a story of grief and coming of age. They offer a similar experience of quiet emotional weight and ambiguous hope.
Isolated characters build fragile new bonds to heal from personal pain.If you enjoyed the theme of found family in All the Wilderness, where James connects with Val and a cryptic guide, this list features similar stories. Explore movies about isolated characters forming fragile, healing bonds with unconventional friends to overcome grief and loss.
The plot follows a protagonist resisting formal help (like therapy or family) as they stumble into a connection with a misfit or group of outsiders. This found family doesn't provide easy answers but offers a mirror to their pain and a fragile sense of belonging, forcing them to confront their struggles in an unconventional way.
These movies share a core narrative of healing through non-traditional relationships. They possess a bittersweet or ambiguous tone, balancing the weight of grief with moments of connection, and feature a moderate emotional weight that avoids being crushing while still dealing with serious themes.
Don't stop at just watching — explore All the Wilderness in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what All the Wilderness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of All the Wilderness, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of All the Wilderness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape All the Wilderness. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about All the Wilderness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like All the Wilderness that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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