The Whale
Seen it?2022 | 117 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 2 Oscars, people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10). A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 57 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
64% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesStrong
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Won 1 SAG Award: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Awards: Best Actor. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 1 Golden Globe and 1 more SAG Award. Plus 12 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$58 million worldwide on a $3 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 1.2 million people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
- Brendan FraserCharlie
- Sadie SinkEllie
- Ty SimpkinsThomas
- Hong ChauLiz
- Samantha MortonMary
- Sathya SridharanDan the Pizza Man
- Jacey SinkYoung Ellie
- Allison AltmanYoung Mary (uncredited)
- Lance OppenheimJulian (uncredited)
- Grace PerkinsMaddie (uncredited)