How to watch 'The Whale': Stream Brendan Fraser's Oscar-nominated performance at home (2025)

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  • "The Whale" stars Brendan Fraser as a man struggling with grief and obesity.
  • Fraser is nominated for best actor at the 2023 Academy Awards for his role in the film.
  • "The Whale" is now available to buy from Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu for $20.

How to watch 'The Whale': Stream Brendan Fraser's Oscar-nominated performance at home (1)

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The critically acclaimed drama "The Whale" is now available to watch online. You can buy the film from digital retailers like Amazon, Apple TV, Google, and Vudu.

"The Whale" follows Charlie (Brendan Fraser), an introverted English teacher struggling to cope with grief and severe obesity that threatens his health. When he tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Sadie Sink), their tense relationship is put to the test as he takes one last shot at redemption.

Check out the trailer for 'The Whale'

"The Whale" stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, and Hong Chau. It's directed by Darren Aronofsky, whose other film credits include movies like "Mother!," "Black Swan," "Requiem for a Dream," and "The Wrestler."

How to watch 'The Whale'

You can watch "The Whale" online by buying it from a streaming retailer like Amazon, Apple TV, Google, or Vudu. It currently costs $20 to purchase, but a cheaper rental option will become available on March 14.

Once you buy "The Whale," you can stream it as many times as you want in up to 4K quality on compatible smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles, and web browsers. The rental option, once it arrives, will give you 30 days to start watching the movie and then 48-hours to finish it after you hit play.

Is 'The Whale' based on a true story?

"The Whale" is not based on a true story but it is adapted from a previous work. The film is based on the 2012 play of the same name, which was written by Samuel D. Hunter.

Why is 'The Whale' rated R?

"The Whale" is rated R for language, some drug use, and sexual content. More specifically, the film starts off with a sexual scene and has colorful language throughout, making it a less family friendly watch.

Is 'The Whale' worth watching?

As of writing, "The Whale" has a "65% Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, which indicates a mixed by mostly positive reaction from critics. The movie has also earned its fair share of accolades, with three Academy Award nominations.

Overall, critics and audiences agree that the film spotlights a moving performance by Brendan Fraser, who plays the lead character. It's a tearjerker that pushes audiences emotionally, equal parts difficult to watch and difficult to look away from.

However, audiences sensitive to discussions of weight, obesity, and eating disorders should use caution — "The Whale" doesn't shy away from these topics and some audiences have disagreed with the movie's approach to these subjects.

Sarah Saril

Editor, Deals and How to Watch

Sarah is a Deals Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. She also supports our how-to-watch and streaming coverage. She never pays full price if she can help it and is an expert at finding and vetting the best discounts. ExperienceSarah joined the Business Insider Reviews team in 2020, starting as a deals reporter covering the best deals and steals daily. She later migrated to the tech team, where she researched, tested, and reviewed a variety of devices, from gaming mice to Kindle e-readers. Now, she’s returned to her origins, serving as the deals editor to curate only the best discounts and buying advice for readers.She began her career in service journalism in 2018 at Wirecutter as a deals writer, where she absorbed the history of the most frequently discounted products. This has informed her impeccably high standards for what makes a good deal. Ever since her Wirecutter days, Sarah has been an expert deals curator for tentpole sale days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.Following her weekly contributions to Business Insider’s Newsletter will illuminate new ways to get the best value on products you use every day.Why you can trust SarahSarah doesn’t recommend any deal she wouldn’t pay for herself. She is skeptical about the advertising language brands use to tout their sales and utilizes all the price-checking tools to ensure they deliver savings.Expertise

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EducationSarah graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a degree in Marketing. She lives in Southern California and is the proud pet parent of two German Shepherds and one chihuahua. She loves traveling to try delicious food, is skilled in crocheting and sewing, and enjoys reading horror novels (as long as they don’t keep her awake).Say hi (or send a picture of your pet) to Sarah at ssaril@businessinsider.com, or reach her on Twitter at @sarahhahr.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Business Insider here.

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How to watch 'The Whale': Stream Brendan Fraser's Oscar-nominated performance at home (2025)
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