The Sea of Trees

Arthur Brennan, a suicidal American professor, travels to Japan's Mount Fuji to enter a legendary forest known as the 'Sea of Trees,' a place where people go to die. While contemplating his final moments, he encounters Kenji, a Japanese man who is also lost in the forest and contemplating his own end. Together, they embark on a journey of survival and introspection, grappling with their past regrets and the will to live.

The Sea of Trees received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who widely panned its direction, screenplay, and performances. It was particularly criticized for its heavy-handed themes and lack of emotional resonance, failing to find distribution in the United States for a considerable time after its festival premiere.

• Panned for its ponderous and overly somber tone.
• Criticized for a weak and unconvincing script.
• Seen as a misstep for director Gus Van Sant.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a strong dislike for the film, with many finding it depressing, slow-paced, and lacking in compelling characters or plot. Some viewers felt the themes were handled insensitively, while others simply found it to be a tedious viewing experience.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, but due to its poor reception, it did not receive a wide theatrical release in the United States until May 2016.