The Whale

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Whale Movie: Poster

Common Sense says

age 15+

Compassionate, mature look at living with severe obesity.

R 2022 117 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Whale is a drama about a man (Brendan Fraser) who's living with severe obesity and trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Sadie Sink). Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it's a compassionate movie with mature, complex themes. Violence is described in dialogue, and there's some unsettling imagery of things like binge-eating, vomiting, choking, etc. A man is shown masturbating (his hand is down his pants) and watching a pornographic video (one person kisses and thrusts behind another). The main character is also seen shirtless in the shower, and there's some strong sex-related dialogue. Language includes several uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and more. Teens smoke pot and vape, a character is drugged with Ambien, and there's dialogue about smoking too much pot and drinking too much alcohol.

Community Reviews

LibbyB
LibbyB Adult
January 14, 2023
age 17+

Obesity, Homosexuality, Overt Christian/Bible Bashing

I went to this movie thinking it was about an obese man wanting to make amends with his estranged teenage daughter. A feel good happy movie. What you get within FIRST FIVE MINUTES is an obese man masturbating vigorously to gay male porn on his laptop. While the film does center around him trying to help his daughter whom he abandoned along with her mother when she was 8 to be in a gay relationship with one of his former college students, there are so many underlying themes that attempt to put Christianity, the Bible, and Jesus in a very negative light as it pertains to gay relationships. Why would an all loving God not want someone to be in love and be happy? If you are an adult, see this movie if you are inclined, but not suitable for children under 17.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
Jasmine P.
Jasmine P. Adult
January 4, 2023
age 18+

Sick

I was absolutely sickened within the first few minutes of seeing this movie with my 3 children age 14,21 26 for the sake of my 14 year old. I thought Brenden Frazier has always been a wholesome actor but this movie was a 360 degree turn from all of his prior roles. Seeing him masterbate to porn was the first sickening scene I had to shield my daughter from. I just was not prepared for that and just the depressing unveiling of his life was just not the family uplifting movie I had hoped for. I felt ripped off and utterly horrified … should have left the movie after 5 min and minimized future nightmares my daughter had. Not recommended for anyone under 18

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE WHALE, Charlie (Brendan Fraser) teaches English classes online while living with severe obesity. He pretends that his laptop camera is broken so that his students can't see him. He never leaves his apartment, ordering all of his food delivered and getting occasional visits and care from his friend Liz (Hong Chau), a nurse. When Charlie learns that his blood pressure is potentially lethally high, he refuses to go to the hospital, instead devoting his energy to reconnecting with his brilliant, estranged, and deeply troubled teen daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). Meanwhile, a young missionary, Thomas (Ty Simpkins), happens upon Charlie and decides that he wants to help save his soul.

Is It Any Good?

Like Darren Aronofsky's other movies, this dark drama doesn't shy away from the realities of its main character's situation, but what lingers are its deep wells of compassion. The Whale launches with Charlie's masturbation being interrupted by crippling chest pains. This initially casts him in a pathetic light, but as the story progresses over the course of a week, viewers begin to see who Charlie really is: loving, intelligent, sensitive, and an undying optimist.

Fraser's work is unfailingly powerful, Charlie's bright eyes consistently gleaming with hope. Playing opposite him, Chau is equally brilliant. The screenplay by Samuel D. Hunter, adapted from his own play, is filled with discussions about love, literature, truth, and faith (Aronofsky has grappled with themes of faith in much of his work, especially Noah and Mother!). Aronofsky's direction is skilled but not showy, closer to The Wrestler than his other movies and focused mainly on character and performance. The movie flows beautifully, even if it sometimes feels a little stage-bound and cutesy. (For a recluse, Charlie is never without someone to talk to.) Overall, it's a movie that twists preconceptions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Whale's depiction of body image. How do you think the filmmakers intend you to see Charlie? What message is the movie saying about judging others?

  • Why is it so important to Charlie for people to "write the truth"?

  • Did you notice positive diverse representations in the film? Are stereotypes used, or avoided?

  • How are drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why is that important?

  • How does the movie promote compassion? Why is that an important character strength?

Movie Details

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