Into the Wild
Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical drama film directed and written by Sean Penn. The film is based on Jon Krakauer's 1996 non-fiction book of the same name, which was adapted from a collection of writings made by Christopher McCandless following his journey into the Alaskan wilderness in April 1992. Emile Hirsch stars as McCandless, with Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt playing his parents. It also features Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Hal Holbrook.
The story follows Chris McCandless (Hirsch), who decides to abandon all material possessions to embark on an adventure across North America after graduating college in 1991. He renames himself "Alexander Supertramp" and sets out alone without informing anyone where he is going or when he will return home. This begins his two-year journey into the wilds of Alaska during which time he meets many people along the way who influence him in various ways that shape his life experiences. Throughout these adventures, Chris finds solace within nature while learning valuable lessons about life through hardships encountered along the way, ultimately leading to a fateful encounter with nature itself that results in tragedy but gives insight into what it means to live authentically despite great odds.