The Whale (2022): Release Date, Plot, Cast, Trailer, And Everything We Know

Everything We Know About The Whale (2022): After a decade of trying to find the perfect fit, Darren Aronofsky found his battered hero in a trailer for a low-budget Brazilian movie, which changed everything for Brendan Fraser. Ending his painfully long hiatus, The Mummy star finds his deserving comeback that has already created major Oscar Buzz. Bringing playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s award-winning play The Whale to the big screen, Aronofsky’s latest psychological drama will deal with the psyche of a broken man trying his best to reconnect with his estranged daughter. 

Known for creating the absolutely unthinkable and diving into the surrealistic details of metaphors that stem from trauma, mental health, and even religion, this isn’t the first time Aronofsky has pushed an actor out of his usual style and into birthing something raw and dark. His most bold work yet, and the film that received the most divided response from critics and audiences alike, Mother! found Jennifer Lawrence shattering her previous image to bring forth something as moving as it was shocking. 

Fraser has been pushed to his limits to play the 600 pounds troubled man, and he isn’t complaining. Teary-eyed after receiving a six-minute standing ovation at the film’s screening, Fraser was overjoyed with his performance’s incredible response. Giving Aronofsky’s lead precisely the kind of dedicated approach he needed, Fraser says, “If I’m not approaching each day’s work as if it’s the first and last time I ever act, then I’m not the man for the job. With this movie, everything I had to offer is everything you see on the screen.”

What is “The Whale” about?

The new A24 psychological drama follows the story of Charlie, a 600 pounds obese English teacher suffering both physically and emotionally while dealing with an eating disorder that started as a coping mechanism after his lover’s untimely death. Charlie wishes to undo the distance growing between him and his teen daughter since he left to be with a man. Struggling to fight his urge to binge eat to death while trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Charlie finds himself in an ocean of pain, grief, and a new understanding of empathy. 

Who is in the cast of The Whale?

Outside of Fraser’s comeback as Charlie, The Whale has Sadie Sink playing his teen daughter Ellie. The twenty-year-old actress is most famous for her role in Stranger Things. Fans will also remember her from the horror trilogy Fear Street. Downsizing star Hong Chau joins the cast to play Charlie’s nurse and friend. Charlie’s ex-wife Mary will be played by oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton. Insidious star Ty Simpkins will be playing the role of a religious missionary, Thomas. 

When is The Whale (2022) releasing?

Fraser received a standing ovation for his performance after the world premiere of the film at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022. On September 11, the film made its North American premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Making The Whale an even stronger awards contender, Fraser has received the TIFF tribute award. The film is set to be widely released in the US on December 9, 2022. 

Watch the trailer for The Whale (2022)

The official trailer dropped on November 8 and offered a slight yet intriguing peek at Fraser’s poignant performance, which may win him the best actor award at the Academy. What we see of Charlie is the grimness that haunts his smile and his hollow look at the sea. Wearing an oxygen tube, the man’s words echo a more hopeful understanding of human kindness–something we wouldn’t expect from a person in his position.