60
Metascore
57 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The TelegraphRobbie CollinThe TelegraphRobbie CollinFraser’s casting is so moving in part because we can still recognise this beloved figure under the blubber, but it’s also because Fraser’s own performance doesn’t court pity. His Charlie is complex, flawed, funny and otherwise fully and radiantly human: a rounded character in more ways than one.
- 91The PlaylistJack KingThe PlaylistJack KingWhat it boasts in abundance — in this riveting study of a deeply broken man, suffocated by nine years of self-immolation — is a rare and deep compassion, elevated by Fraser’s starring turn.
- 90The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe intense chamber drama never disguises its stage roots but transcends them with the grace and compassion of the writing and the layers of pain and despair, love and dogged hope peeled back in the central performance. Fraser makes us see beyond the alarming appearance to the deeply affecting heart of this broken man.
- 83The Film StageRory O'ConnorThe Film StageRory O'ConnorThe Whale is Aronofsky at his most trimmed down.
- 80The IndependentGeoffrey MacnabThe IndependentGeoffrey MacnabThe pathos is laid on very thick. At times, you wonder why a filmmaker as sophisticated as Aronofsky is resorting to such manipulative tactics. Beneath all its blubber, though, this turns out to be a film with a very big heart.
- 60SlashfilmMarshall ShafferSlashfilmMarshall ShafferThe Whale" stays too intellectual in its exploration of the physical and spiritual dimensions of redemption to and from bodily captivity. This comes at the expense of the director's strengths in the visceral realm. It restricts what could have been a truly great comeback performance from Brendan Fraser into being merely a good one.
- 60VarietyOwen GleibermanVarietyOwen GleibermanMost of The Whale simply isn’t as good as Brendan Fraser’s performance. For what he brings off, though, it deserves to be seen.
- 40The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawFraser does an honest job in the role of Charlie, and Hong Chau brings a welcome fierceness and sinew to the drama, but this sucrose film is very underpowered.