The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Drama film›The Whale (film)
Entertainment • Drama film

The Whale (film)

The Whale is a 2022 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Whale is a 2022 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D. Hunter. It follows a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. The film is based on Hunter’s 2012 play of the same name.

Premise

The film follows Charlie, a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity, as he tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. The story unfolds as a character-driven drama focused on guilt, grief, and redemption.

Cast

The principal cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. Fraser plays Charlie, while Sink plays his daughter Ellie.

Source material

The Whale is adapted from Samuel D. Hunter’s 2012 stage play of the same name. Because it is a stage adaptation, it is not based on a verified true-life event.

Production and performance

Brendan Fraser’s performance was widely praised and led to major awards recognition, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film’s reception especially highlighted Fraser and Hong Chau’s acting, with Chau receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Key facts

  • Brendan Fraser won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Charlie.
  • The film is adapted from Samuel D. Hunter’s 2012 play, not a true story.
  • Hong Chau received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
  • The runtime is 117 minutes.
  • The film was released on December 21, 2022.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was directed by Canadian-born filmmaker Darren Aronofsky? Darren Aronofsky is not Canadian; Canada’s main connection in the provided sources is indirect through Vancouver Island references in an unrelated IMDb result, which are not relevant to this film. No direct Canada-specific angle is established from the sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Whale movie about?
It is about Charlie, a reclusive English teacher with severe obesity who tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter, Ellie.
Who stars in The Whale?
The main cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton.
Is The Whale based on a true story?
No. It is based on Samuel D. Hunter’s 2012 play, not on a documented true story.
How did Brendan Fraser prepare for The Whale?
The provided sources do not give detailed preparation notes, but they do indicate he performed the role using heavy makeup/prosthetic work as part of the production.
What is the runtime of The Whale?
The runtime is 117 minutes, or 1 hour 57 minutes.
Where to watch The Whale?
The film was released in theaters on December 21, 2022. The provided sources confirm a streaming release date but do not name a specific platform.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Whale_(2022_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, plot, source play, awards, filming details
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13833688/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13833688/
    Supports: Runtime and release date
  4. Ashley Hajimir Sadeghi — https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/the-whale
    Supports: General plot context and mention of makeup/prosthetics during production
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_whale_2022
    Supports: Synopsis, runtime, release information
  6. ScreenRant — https://www.screenrant.com/db/movie/the-whale/
    Supports: Runtime, synopsis, basic production details