The Whale
2022 · Movie · R · 117 min · ★ 7.8 · 62% critics
A reclusive English teacher, living in isolation, tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter and make amends before it’s too late. As attempts at redemption unfold, the story focuses on regret, vulnerability, and the struggle to reach the people you’ve pushed away.
Based on The Whale
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Details
- Years
- 2022
- Release date
- 2022-12-09
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Critic score
- 62/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.8/10 (4,696 votes)
- Box office
- $17,233,000
- Budget
- $3,000,000
About
If you want an emotionally heavy, empathy-driven drama about regret and reconnection, The Whale delivers; Not for you if you dislike slow, tense stories or want something easygoing—try Uncle Frank or Broken instead.
Pros: devastating lead performance; powerful supporting cast; intimate single-room setting | Cons: slow pacing; uncomfortable moments; divisive tone
Themes
- depression
- nurse
- missionary
- idaho
- bible
- overweight man
- based on play or musical
- dying man
- obesity
- religion
- death of lover
- rebellious daughter
- +19 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actor
- Academy Award — Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- St. Louis Film Critics Association Award — Best Actor
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · nominated
- Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award — Best Film · nominated
Show all 15 awards →
- London Film Critics Circle Award — Supporting Actress of the Year · nominated
- London Film Critics Circle Award — Actor of the Year · nominated
- Online Film Critics Society Award — Best Actor · nominated
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award — Best Actor · nominated
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · nominated
- San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · nominated
- San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award — Best Actor · nominated
- Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award — Best Breakthrough Performance · nominated
- Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · nominated
- Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award — Best Actor · nominated
Cast & crew
Brendan Fraser
as Charlie
Sadie Sink
as Ellie
Ty Simpkins
as Thomas
Hong Chau
as Liz
Samantha Morton
as Mary
Sathya Sridharan
as Dan the Pizza Man
- JS
Jacey Sink
as Young Ellie
Allison Altman
as Young Mary (uncredited)
Lance Oppenheim
as Julian (uncredited)
- GP
Grace Perkins
as Maddie (uncredited)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky