Whale RiderSynopsis and Overview

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Showtimes + Tickets
  • Whale Rider
  • Opened June 6, 2003 | Runtime:1 hr. 44 min.
  • PG-13
    Momentary Drug Reference and Brief Language
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says OK for kids 11+. Read More
  • 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 Read More
  • Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Grant Roa
  • Director: Niki Caro
  • Genres: Feminist Film, Drama, Family Drama, Childhood Drama

Whale Rider Critic Reviews

Go Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    One of the best performances -- and movies -- of the year so far.

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The genius of the movie is the way is sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of...

  • 90
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    A substantial film of unexpected emotional force. And when at a certain point...

  • 88
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    A film of female empowerment that resonates deeply.

More Whale Rider Critic Reviews

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