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The Whale film image, director Darren Aronofsky, actor Brendan Fraser

The Whale

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The director of Pi, Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and Mother!, Darren Aronofsky has never been one to play safe. Here, in his first film in five years, Aronofsky bucks expectations again with a chamber piece about an English teacher, Charlie (Brendan Fraser, still recognizable under layers of latex), who appears to be on the verge of eating himself to death. The term “morbidly obese” is rightfully considered problematic, but in Charlie’s case it may apply: his eating is a kind of death wish, a semi-conscious bid to be reunited with his dead, gay lover. Before that happens, he reaches out to the teenage daughter he hasn’t seen in ten years.

Adapted from Samuel D. Hunter’s play, The Whale confronts prejudice in all shapes and sizes. It’s a gripping, compassionate drama which keeps us hooked without leaving the confines of Charlie’s apartment. Along with what is probably Fraser’s career-best performance, there’s sterling work here from Hong Chau (Downsizing) as his friend and de facto nurse, Samantha Morton as his ex-wife, and Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) as his rebellious daughter, Ellie.

 

Presented by

 

Director

Darren Aronofsky

Cast

Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton

Credits
Country of Origin

USA

Year

2022

Language

English

Links
Content Warning

Self Harm

18+
117 min
Art, Music & Photography Drama LGBTQIA2S+

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Credits

Executive Producer

Scott Franklin, Tyson Bidner

Producer

Jeremy Dawson, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky

Screenwriter

Samuel D. Hunter

Cinematography

Matthew Libatique

Editor

Andrew Weisblum

Production Design

Mark Friedberg, Robert Pyzocha

Original Music

Rob Simonsen