The Fountain
Performance & Direction: The Fountain Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Fountain (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Fountain features a noteworthy lineup led by Hugh Jackman . Supported by the likes of Rachel Weisz and Ellen Burstyn , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: The Fountain
Quick Plot Summary: The Fountain is a Drama, Adventure, Science Fiction, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death, spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in this world. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: The Fountain
Ending Breakdown: The Fountain concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Fountain reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Fountain?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Fountain
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $15.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Fountain Budget
The estimated production budget for The Fountain is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Fountain
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Where to Watch The Fountain Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
JioHotstarThe Fountain Parents Guide & Age Rating
2006 AdvisoryWondering about The Fountain age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Fountain is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Fountain is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Fountain worth watching?
The Fountain is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Fountain parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Fountain identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Fountain?
The total duration of The Fountain is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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How The Fountain Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Fountain
SCI-FI Lovers BEWARE! What a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! I thought this was going to be some awesome Sci-fi flick traveling through time and fighting to be with each other. (You know like all the other new Sci-fi flicks today). I was WRONG. Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman are both amazing actors, however I found the Fountain to be WAY TO artsy / independent film for me.
A simple story told in a very complicated way. Not the best of Aronofsky's works.
Contrary to many opinions of this film, The Fountain stands as an all time favourite of mine. The layering of timelines combined with Aronofsky's eye just made for a beautiful experience. A truly underrated masterpiece.
Full of symbolism and pretty pictures this movie will strike your soul if you have one. Once the credits roll it will be like waking from a dream.
You will either love it, or think it absurd. Aronofsky is at full symbolic best in this film, so if you buy into it, buy his vision and embrace the meditation on themes it is glorious. If you want an engaging narrative and some cool sci fi, go watch Gravity.
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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