Whale Rider | Rotten Tomatoes

Whale Rider

PG-13

Released Jun 6, 2003

1 hr. 41 min.

Kids & Family

Drama

List

91%

157 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

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Critics Consensus

An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.

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Henry

I absolutely hated this movie. Slow-mo was abysmal, the story is horrible and this is so boring the plot doesn't even make sense never watching again. I would rather kiss my cousin than watch. This is the worst movie on the face of the earth. If Elon Musk gave me all his money I would not watch this. I would've hung myself if I was the main character. When she is on the whale she looks like she was high on cocaine. The worst hour and a half I've ever been through.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

Zac C

The movie was okay, Not enough whales for me. The overall concept of sexism is really important for the audience to take on board. As a New Zealander this is the best of the best with scenery and storytelling. The writing in this is better than all of the Comedy shows on channel 2 at 9 pm combined. It's unfortunate that time flies. Two decades on the story is still important but it really is not that interesting anymore. Maybe if they included super hero's it would be more important for today's teenagers

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

Full Review

Joshua

Beautiful stirring film of Maori culture and myths. The young actress was amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Thomas M

The best acting performance from Keisha Castle-Hughes!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Castle-Hughes's pioneeringly empowering breakthrough performance and mesmerizing scenic cinematography, as well cultural exploration, uplifts the film from its pedestrian pace. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought that this was a wonderful movie. Although the plot isn't atypical, the beautiful quality and poignant message of the film more than make up for it. The only reason I depleted half of a star is because of a singular, somewhat rude comment about a man's weight.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Niki Caro

Director

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Paikea "Pai" Apirana

Rawiri Paratene

Koro Apirana

Vicky Haughton

Nanny Flowers Apirana

Cliff Curtis

Porourangi Apirana

Grant Roa

Uncle Rawiri Apirana

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Excellent to watch and discuss as a family.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

Variety

Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks.

Jul 22, 2008

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The filmmaker knows how to seduce an audience without making it feel had. When a movie's this likable, it would take a very tough crowd not to be pleased.

Nov 1, 2007

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

A fairly standard coming of age tale that features a solid performance from Castle-Hughes. Despite being a nearly 1-to-1 adaptation, however, the film is missing the spirit (and spiritualism) of the source material.

Mar 12, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Keisha Castle-Hughes deservedly earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her startling film debut.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 30, 2021

Full Review

Sandie Angulo Chen

AWFJ.org

Poignant and powerful, this unique family film is simply unforgettable.

Oct 5, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

Director: Niki Caro
Executive Producer: Linda Goldstein Knowlton, Bill Gavin
Distributor: Newmarket Film Group
Production Co: ApolloMedia, South Pacific Pictures, Pandora
Rating: PG-13 (Momentary Drug Reference|Brief Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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