🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Kevin Macdonald
- Genre: Documentary, Drama
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (41K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
People film their day and it’s like, a movie, man, about life, heavy.
🍿 Life in a Day: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Global Snapshot: The Dawn of a Day
“Life in a Day” opens with the quiet moments of the early morning, showcasing sunrises from around the globe. These visuals capture the very start of July 24, 2010, through the lenses of thousands of contributors. The film interweaves scenes of people waking up, beginning their routines, and preparing for the day ahead, setting a universal stage.

Daily Rituals and Universal Experiences
The documentary transitions into a montage of everyday activities: people eating breakfast, commuting to work, and engaging in personal care. These moments, though seemingly mundane, highlight the shared experiences that connect humanity. Whether it’s brushing teeth, making coffee, or walking to school, the film emphasizes the common threads of life across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Love, Loss, and the Human Condition
Amidst the daily grind, “Life in a Day” explores deeper themes of love, loss, and personal identity. It presents intimate moments such as a young man coming out to his grandmother, a couple renewing their wedding vows, and families dealing with illness. These stories offer a glimpse into the emotional landscapes of individuals around the world, revealing both the joys and challenges of being human.

World Events and Personal Struggles
The film also incorporates footage of significant events that occurred on that particular day, including the Love Parade disaster in Germany. These scenes, juxtaposed with personal narratives, underscore the unpredictable nature of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Moments of sorrow and tragedy are balanced with scenes of hope and celebration, reflecting the full spectrum of human experience.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Hiroaki Aikawa (Hiroaki Aikawa): One of the many individuals who filmed their life on July 24, 2010, contributing to the documentary’s global perspective.
- Cindy Baer (Cindy Baer): An individual who participated in the global filming project, offering a personal glimpse into her life on a specific day.
- Teagan Bentley (Teagan Bentley): A participant who documented their experiences as part of the collaborative film, capturing everyday moments for the project.
- Ester Brym (Ester Brym): A contributor to the film who recorded aspects of their life on a particular day, adding to the mosaic of global experiences.
- Kevin Macdonald (N/A): The director who compiled footage from around the world to create a cohesive narrative about life on a single day.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Korean Cyclist: “The impossible is possible.” – Spoken by a cyclist who has been cycling around the world, expressing hope for the reunification of Korea.
- Young Woman: “I spent the whole day waiting for something great to happen. All day long nothing really happened. I don’t want to cease to exist.” – A young woman reflecting on her ordinary day, expressing a universal desire to be recognized and remembered.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $252,788
- Worldwide Gross: $607,169
💥 Life in a Day Reviews
Personal Review
I loved ‘Life in a Day’ because it felt so real. There were moments that made me laugh and others that brought tears to my eyes. It was like looking into a mirror of the world. The scene with the grandmother and grandson always gets me. It’s a must-see if you want a reminder of how connected we all are. It really made me think about how I live my life!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Documentary enthusiasts”
- “People interested in global cultures”
- “Viewers who appreciate experimental filmmaking”
- “Those seeking a unique perspective on the human experience”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief scenes of animal slaughter”
- “Footage of the Love Parade tragedy”
- “Some mature themes and disturbing imagery”
Professional Reviews
- The Hollywood Reporter: “A groundbreaking documentary that captures the essence of human existence on a single day, ‘Life in a Day’ is a must-see for anyone interested in a glimpse into the lives of people around the world. Macdonald masterfully weaves together the footage to create a compelling and emotional narrative.
- ScreenRant: “A unique and ambitious project, ‘Life in a Day’ provides a fascinating snapshot of humanity in the 21st century. While the film may feel disjointed at times, the individual moments of joy, sadness, and everyday life create a powerful and moving experience that is hard to forget.
Audience Reactions
The global perspective offered a unique and eye-opening experience.: Viewers praised the film for its raw and authentic portrayal of human life across the globe.
Overall Consensus: ‘Life in a Day’ is a compelling and emotional documentary that captures the essence of human existence on a single day, offering a unique and eye-opening perspective on the world.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The filmmakers received approximately 4,500 hours of footage from 80,000 submissions originating from 192 different countries.”
- “To ensure global representation, cameras were provided to people in regions with limited access to technology.”
🖥️ How to Watch Life in a Day?
As a documentary, “Life in a Day” might be available on various streaming platforms depending on your region. Check services like YouTube (where it originated), Prime Video, or documentary-focused streaming services. You can often find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV or Google Play Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Life in a Day, you might like these similar films:
- Earth (2007): Captures the beauty and fragility of the planet, exploring diverse ecosystems and animal behaviors across the globe.
- Samsara (2011): A non-narrative documentary showing the wonders of our world, from natural wonders to cultural events.
- Koyaanisqatsi (1982): Offers a poetic and visually stunning meditation on humanity’s relationship with nature, presented without dialogue or narration.
- Human (2015): Features interviews from people all over the world speaking about universal topics such as love, hate, family, and the future.
🛒 Life in a Day Related Products
- Life in a Day (Blu-ray): Experience the full emotional journey of ‘Life in a Day’ in high-definition Blu-ray format. Includes bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Life in a Day: The Companion Book: Delve deeper into the stories and people featured in ‘Life in a Day’ with this beautifully designed companion book. Featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes insights.
🎧 Soundtrack
Life in a Day features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Life in a Day’ is a documentary film composed of user-submitted video footage shot on July 24, 2010. It captures a snapshot of daily life around the world, showcasing diverse experiences, emotions, and perspectives within a single day.
The film was created by asking people around the world to record their lives on a specific day and submit the footage to YouTube. Director Kevin Macdonald and his team then sifted through thousands of hours of video to create a cohesive and compelling narrative.
The documentary explores universal themes such as love, loss, family, dreams, fears, and the mundane aspects of daily routines. It also touches on cultural diversity, global events, and the shared human experience.
Many viewers find ‘Life in a Day’ to be a moving and thought-provoking experience. It offers a unique perspective on humanity and the world around us. However, some viewers may find certain scenes disturbing or feel the film lacks a clear narrative structure.
🔥 Bonus Content
What does 2020 look like for you? Be part of LIFE IN A DAY on July 25.
Want to know how you could have been part of ‘Life in a Day 2020’? This video explains the project and the questions they asked participants to answer. It’s pretty cool to see the scale of the project!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.





