Life Itself

  • 2014
  • R
  • 121m
movieMx RATING
7.5/10364
VERDICT
SUPER HIT
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Performance & Direction: Life Itself Review

Last updated: February 16, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 16, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Life Itself (2014) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Life Itself features a noteworthy lineup led by Stephen Stanton . Supported by the likes of Roger Ebert and Chaz Ebert , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Life Itself (2014) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: SUPER HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Life Itself stands as a SUPER HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Life Itself

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2014, Life Itself is a Documentary film directed by Steve James. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Stephen Stanton.

Ending Explained: Life Itself

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Steve James, Life Itself resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to documentary resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Stephen Stanton, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes in a way that feels organic to the story.

The final moments of Life Itself demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Life Itself?

Highly Recommended For:

  • Fans of Documentaries cinema looking for quality storytelling
  • Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
  • Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
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Top Cast: Life Itself

All Cast & Crew →
Stephen Stanton
Stephen StantonRoger Ebert (voice)
Roger Ebert
Roger EbertSelf - Film Critic
Chaz Ebert
Chaz EbertSelf - Ebert's Wife
Ramin Bahrani
Ramin BahraniSelf - Filmmaker
Richard Corliss
Richard CorlissSelf - Film Critic
Nancy De Los Santos
Nancy De Los SantosSelf - TV Producer
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernaySelf - Filmmaker
Bruce Elliot
Bruce ElliotSelf - Ebert's Friend
Laura Emerick
Laura EmerickSelf - Journalist
Emil Evans
Emil EvansSelf - Ebert's Step-Grandson
Raven Evans
Raven EvansSelf - Ebert's Step-Granddaughter
Sonia Evans
Sonia EvansSelf - Ebert's Step-Daughter
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Where to Watch Life Itself Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

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🎟️ Rent on

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🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
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Life Itself Parents Guide & Age Rating

2014 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Life Itself age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Life Itself is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Life Itself is 121 minutes (2h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.5/10, and global performance metrics, Life Itself is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2014 cinematic calendar.

SUPER HIT
Official movieMx status for Life Itself. Rating: 7.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Life Itself worth watching?

Life Itself is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Life Itself parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Life Itself identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Life Itself?

The total duration of Life Itself is 121 minutes, which is approximately 2h 1m long.

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How Life Itself Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Life Itself

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🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.5
Life Itself
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/life-itself-250766" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 7.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Life Itself</div></div></a>

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