White Oleander

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White Oleander

PG-13

2002

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

"White Oleander" chronicles the life of Astrid (Alison Lohman), a young teenager who journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) goes to prison for committing a crime of passion. Set adrift in the world, Astrid struggles to become her own person while coming to terms with the challenges of living life on her own.

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Critics Consensus

Strong performances by the lead actresses make White Oleander a compelling female melodrama.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 29, 2010

4/5

Upsetting and dark, for older than PG-13.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Oct 19, 2002

B+

A smart, compelling drama.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Oct 14, 2002

The film is worth seeing for its honest heart and for the magnificent acting.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 6, 2019

Director Peter Kosminsky ... is unfortunately not up to the task at hand, giving us a product one would expect to see on Lifetime, not one that requires payment for an admission ticket.

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Joel Siegel

Good Morning America

Jan 4, 2018

C+

White Oleander is one of the those movies you watch and think, "Yeah, I bet the book was great."

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Apr 29, 2009

Delivers in the range of cast and involving story.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Jul 23, 2026

3.75 ⭐️ A life shaped by scars, told without self pity. Some films scream their sadness. This one simply lets you live with it.

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Jamie P

@RT42213047 Jul 1, 2026

Such a great, underrated movie

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Titus A

@Titus_Andronicus Apr 8, 2026

Amazing, emotional, powerfully honest, great film with incredible acting from all the actresses. These kind of quality dramas about real life horrors are under appreciated due to their brutal honesty and reflection of humanity that most humans refuse to look at and just are not made at this level and quality, or at all these days.

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Meri S.

@mschroeder Oct 6, 2025

Great cast with some amazing female actresses.

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Sway M

@RT58535466 Jul 8, 2025

The movie leaves out so much of the book, so many characters and experiences that help shape Astrid. An episodic remake could really do this story justice.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 Mar 19, 2024

So-so drama, with good acting. A porcorn movie, nothing more

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Peter Kosminsky

Director

Alison Lohman

Astrid Magnussen

Robin Wright

Starr

Michelle Pfeiffer

Ingrid Magnussen

Renée Zellweger

Claire Richards

Billy Connolly

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Synopsis

"White Oleander" chronicles the life of Astrid (Alison Lohman), a young teenager who journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) goes to prison for committing a crime of passion. Set adrift in the world, Astrid struggles to become her own person while coming to terms with the challenges of living life on her own.

Director: Peter Kosminsky
Producer: John Wells, Hunt Lowry
Screenwriter: Mary Agnes Donoghue, Janet Fitch
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Gaylord Films, John Wells Productions, Oleandor Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug Content|Mature Thematic Elements|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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