The Whale (2022 film)

The Whale
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Darren Aronofsky
Written by	Samuel D. Hunter
Based on	The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter
Produced by	Jeremy Dawson Ari Handel Darren Aronofsky
Starring	Brendan Fraser Sadie Sink Hong Chau Ty Simpkins Samantha Morton
Cinematography	Matthew Libatique
Edited by	Andrew Weisblum
Music by	Rob Simonsen
Production company	Protozoa Pictures
Distributed by	A24
Release dates	September 4, 2022 (2022-09-04) (Venice) December 9, 2022 (2022-12-09) (United States)
Running time	117 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3 million[2]
Box office	$57.6 million[3][4]

The Whale is a 2022 American drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D. Hunter, based on his 2012 play of the same name. The film stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. The plot follows a reclusive, morbidly obese English professor who tries to restore his relationship with his teenage daughter, whom he had abandoned eight years earlier. The film was shot from March 8 to April 7, 2021, in Newburgh, New York.

The Whale premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022. It had a limited theatrical release in the US on December 9, before a wide release on December 21 by A24, grossing $54.9 million against a budget of $3 million. The film received a polarized response; though critics lauded the acting, particularly Fraser, Chau and Sink, the film's portrayal of obesity-related struggles drew criticism. For his performance, Fraser won the Academy Award, Critics' Choice Award and SAG Award for Best Actor, Chau was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.