Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

2012Movie172 minEnglish

A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes66%
Metacritic55
Google Users73%
Director: Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, Lilly WachowskiGenres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

This epic science fiction film weaves together multiple storylines spanning centuries, from the 19th-century Pacific to a distant post-apocalyptic future. The narratives explore the interconnectedness of humanity and the ripple effects of individual actions across time. Characters grapple with themes of oppression, love, and the search for meaning, often facing significant personal sacrifices. The film posits that souls are reborn and connected, influencing each other through past and future lives.

Critical Reception

Cloud Atlas received a mixed to positive reception from critics, with many commending its ambitious scope, visual spectacle, and the actors' versatile performances in portraying multiple characters. However, the film was also criticized for its convoluted narrative structure and lengthy runtime, leading to a divided audience response.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visual grandeur and ambitious storytelling.
  • Acknowledged for the ensemble cast's ability to embody diverse roles effectively.
  • Criticized by some for its complex narrative and perceived lack of emotional depth in certain arcs.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's unique concept and visual achievements, with many finding the interconnected stories compelling. However, some viewers found the film's complexity challenging to follow and expressed a desire for a more straightforward narrative.

Fun Fact

The film famously features actors playing multiple roles across different timelines, sometimes in drastically different ages, genders, and ethnicities, requiring extensive prosthetics and makeup.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
Torsten Rüger

Torsten Rüger

The true legacy of the Wachowskis, so close to pulling off the impossible that it is not wholly understandable in one viewing. The central theme is the idea of karma. Actions affecting our lives, not just in this life but through several...
Vlad Mihalca

Vlad Mihalca

A not-easy-to-follow film, we are presented with sub-plots from several times and places, both past and future - in which the same characters seem to be involved. An interesting idea, good images but yu need to have a particular taste in...
Travis Bell

Travis Bell

Cloud Atlas was a very well made movie but unlike a lot of movies that try to tell simultaneous stories and then have them come together at the end, this one just didn't for me. I'm still unclear as to the point of it all. Another issue ...
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Interesting film with an exceptional cast, fantastic performances and characterizations. The story, though, is a bit difficult to follow and, in the end, seems to not have a real point.