The Whale (2022)
Kernel Score: 88% · 4,521 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 2022-12-09
Runtime: 117 minutes
Is The Whale worth watching?
Worth watching. A sad, claustrophobic drama about a reclusive man trying to reconnect with his daughter, anchored by a superb lead performance. It's heavy and not for everyone, but it's powerful.
Watch it if you
- like heavy dramas
- admire acting
- want an emotional film
Skip it if you
- want light viewing
- dislike bleak stories
Best for: Serious solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Whale
- Free with ads: The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.
The Whale parents' guide: ages 14+
Parents need to know that The Whale is an intense drama about a reclusive, morbidly obese man reconnecting with his estranged daughter before he dies.
- Violence & scariness: A little — No physical violence, but the film contains disturbing, graphic depictions of binge eating and physical decline that some viewers find distressing.
- Language: Moderate — R-rated drama with strong profanity used in emotional confrontations.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — Some references to alcohol; the story touches on food as an addictive coping mechanism.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Whale
If you liked The Whale, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Wrestler (2008) — 85%: Same director, another battered man seeking redemption
- Black Swan (2010) — 86%: Same director, a punishing character study
- Requiem for a Dream (2000) — 89%: Same director, a bleak human story
- Moonlight (2016) — 85%: Quiet character study of an outsider
- To the Bone (2017) — 79%: Painful drama about the body and food
Director
Cast
- 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
- Jacey Sink as Young Ellie
- Allison Altman as Young Mary (uncredited)
- Lance Oppenheim as Julian (uncredited)
- Grace Perkins as Maddie (uncredited)
The Whale FAQ
Is The Whale worth watching?
Worth watching. A sad, claustrophobic drama about a reclusive man trying to reconnect with his daughter, anchored by a superb lead performance. It's heavy and not for everyone, but it's powerful.
Where can I watch The Whale?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Whale OK for kids?
The Whale is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 14+. Parents need to know that The Whale is an intense drama about a reclusive, morbidly obese man reconnecting with his estranged daughter before he dies.
What movies are like The Whale?
If you liked The Whale, try The Wrestler, Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream and Moonlight.