Abstract
Terrence Malick’s 2011 film The Tree of Life defies any attempt to be summarized in a few pat sentences. The movie tackles significant theological issues as it tells the story of one man’s journey to regain his faith after the loss of his beloved brother and a difficult relationship with his father. At the same time, it is also a film about humankind’s relationship to God, and about the kind of life human beings should strive to lead. In this paper, I will discuss two of the film’s main themes: Malick’s response to the problem of evil (or, as it is also known, the problem of suffering) and his meditations concerning what kind of relationship humans should seek with God.
Recommended Citation
Manninen, Bertha Alvarez Ph.D.
(2013)
"The Problem of Evil and Humans’ Relationship with God in Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life,"
Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 17:
Iss.
1, Article 34.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol17/iss1/34