Parents' Guide to

Whale Rider

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Excellent, gorgeous Māori drama has uplifting messages.

Movie PG-13 2003 105 minutes
Whale Rider Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Whale Rider Movie: Close-up of young woman's face dressed in Indigenous clothing and accessories
  • Whale Rider Movie: Young woman sits in an empty wooden boat outdoors
  • Whale Rider Movie: Young woman rests her forehead against a whale

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 15 parent reviews

Rdinws
Rdinws Adult
March 31, 2019
age 8+

Great film!

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.
Aarthi C.
Aarthi C. Parent
March 31, 2024
age 11+

See all 15 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (15 ):
Kids say (23 ):

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?

  • How does Pai show integrity, perseverance, and courage? How does she show teamwork and compassion even when she's not originally accepted in the team?

  • Have you ever been told you weren't able to do something because of your gender or age? How did you handle the issue?

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