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
Darren Aronofsky
Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton
USA
2022
English
Self Harm
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Palestine 36
Palestine's entry for Best International Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards is an epic historical drama from director Annemarie Jacir that follows an ensemble of rural villagers who face off against British colonial forces during the 1936 Palestinian revolt.
In the Room
Brishkay Ahmed's documentary explores the resilience and cultural identity of Afghan women through intimate interviews and archival images. Powerful, urgent, and informative, it reminds us that human rights are fragile and must be fiercely protected.
Thus Spoke the Wind
Set in the remote plains of rural Armenia, Maria Rigel’s sharp sophomore feature takes us into the lives of young Hayk, his aunt Narine, and Hayk's rebellious mother, who has returned from a long stay in the country, throwing things off balance.
Decorado
In existential crisis, a middle-aged mouse increasingly believes the world is unreal, much like a film set. As his suspicions grow increasingly credible, will he accept his fate, or hatch one last bid for freedom?
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
Whether he was a man, a musician, or an emissary from Saturn (as he claimed), Sun Ra was one of the unique visionaries of the 20th century. Christine Turner’s documentary explores the legacy of this iconoclastic who turned his life into a work of art.
La Grazia
Hot from opening the Venice Film Festival, this is a serious ethical drama from director Paolo Sorrentino and his long-serving collaborator, actor Toni Servillo, who plays a fictional Italian President wrestling with a moral dilemma.
Image: © Andrea Pirrello
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