Beached whales die despite efforts to save them, but no blood is shown. Boys are taught traditional fighting techniques (no one gets hurt). A leader is hit during training; he praises the boy who hit him. The main character briefly disappears underwater, and it's unclear whether she's dead or alive (there's no lasting damage).
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Non-sexual situations include a girl bathing, her back visible, and boys and men who are often shirtless. There's a clinical reference to a woman being pregnant.
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Pai demonstrates extraordinary integrity, perseverance, courage, and strength of character as she learns everything that the next leader of her people must learn, all while keeping it secret from her disapproving grandfather. Pai understands the importance of teamwork and shows others why she needs support. Koro has compassion for others and for himself, learning that he's made mistakes and mending his ways for the benefit of future generations.
Diverse Representations
a lot
A landmark in the depiction of Māori culture (and directed and written by female director Niki Caro), the film features a largely Indigenous ensemble, including leads Keisha Castle-Hughes (whose mom is Māori) and Cliff Curtis (also Māori). Characters have a wide range of body types and ages, and though they're mostly male, the film critiques their sexist behavior. Pai uses her strength, smarts, and independence to rise above men's expectations for her.
It's important to value and respect your culture, while understanding that you can also defy outdated principles. Show integrity by staying true to yourself.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Whale Rider is a New Zealand coming-of-age film based on a book by Witi Ihimaera and features Māori leads. The film has some intense moments, including the deaths of whales and young characters learning fighting techniques, but nothing bloody is shown. Language includes "d--k" and one use of "s--t." Characters drink and smoke cigarettes, and both a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia are briefly shown. Written and directed by Niki Caro, the film is a landmark for Māori representation, casting Indigenous actors of various ages and body sizes, and centers around a young woman, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), who rises above men's expectations for her. Positive messages include the importance of having integrity, and valuing and respecting your culture, while understanding that you can also defy outdated principles. Characters also demonstrate courage and integrity. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Beautiful film. My 8 year old loved it and we can't figure out why there is the 11+ rating from the experts. The very beginning does have the death of the mother but it is not shocking and the core of the scene is on how the father and grandfather react to the death of the mother and baby. The baby is shown as swaddled and you would not know that it had died if not for the conversation around the scene. Honestly, the plight of the whales is much more livid and disturbing at the very end but not too much for most 8 year olds. I clicked on too much swearing because there was one line that went something like if you don't say this right 'your d--k will fall off'. We got the question Mommy what's a ......
That's the troubling part for kids but it is so outweighed by the masterful tale. It is a view of a culture soon forgotten and that is the worry of the people in this film. Great juxtaposition of the modern world and the old and value of traditions and the need to change them in some ways and not in others. The main lesson is of course about gender roles and forgiveness with grace. The girl Pakai is amazing on all counts. A wonderful role model for little girls. The boys who do their best are also very good role models. Excellent film.
WHALE RIDER is set in a Māori community in New Zealand. According to legend, the Māori came to Whangara when their great leader, Paikea, led them by riding on a whale. Ever since, they've been led by Paikea's descendants. The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that family line. But the male twin and his mother die. Over the objection of the current leader, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), the female twin who survives is named Paikaea (Keisha Castle-Hughes). Her heartbroken father leaves New Zealand, and Pai is left to be raised by her grandparents. Grandfather Koro loves Pai deeply, but he's still bitter about not having a male heir. When Pai is 12, Koro assembles the local boys to start training them in the traditions of their culture and test them to see who has courage, skill, wisdom, and leadership to follow in his own footsteps. It's clear to Pai's grandmother (Vicki Houghton) and to Pai herself that she has all those qualities, but Koro, struggling fiercely to maintain his pride and identity against the assaults of the modern world, can't allow himself to consider such a change.
Writer-director Niki Caro's sensitive filmmaking does justice to the moving story (based on a book by Witi Ihimaera) The modest buildings in Whale Rider, set against starkly beautiful settings, convey the contrast between timeless Māori culture and what is seen as modern. Castle-Hughes clearly portrays Pai's perceptiveness and quiet persistence, but when she finally speaks from her heart, standing on stage in a school production, wearing traditional garb, she's luminous. It's no wonder that Castle-Hughes was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar at age 13. Whale Rider is a lyrical, genuine must-see for families of tweens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the traditions portrayed in Whale Rider and the traditions of their own cultures. Which ones do you think are important to pass down? Which do you think needs to evolve and be adjusted to the times?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
