The Whale (2013): cast, story & where to watch
2013 · Film · ★ 5.3
Released in 2013, The Whale is a drama and history film directed by Alrick Riley, running about 90 minutes.
What it’s about. Dramatic retelling of the fateful last voyage of the Nantucket whaleship Essex. When the Essex is attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in November 1820, her crew take to three fragile whalers. Alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the men must decide whether to head for the nearest islands - a thousand miles downwind to the west - or set out on an epic journey of almost three thousand miles to reach the South American mainland. Fear of cannibals forces them to choose South America. Almost three months later, the first whaler is rescued by another whaleship. Only three men are still alive. A week later the captain's whaler is also rescued, with just two men aboard. The third whaler is never found. This is a story of human endurance and what men in extremis will do to survive.
Who’s in it. The Whale stars Martin Sheen as Tom Nickerson, Jonas Armstrong as Owen Chase, Paul Kaye as Matthew Joy and Adam Rayner as Captain George Pollard, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, The Whale has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Whale page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Whale tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Whale (2013)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Whale change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Whale worth watching?
- The Whale holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Whale?
- The Whale stars Martin Sheen, Jonas Armstrong, Paul Kaye, Adam Rayner and Jassa Ahluwalia.
- When was The Whale released?
- The Whale was released in 2013, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.