Whale Rider (2002)

Whale Rider is a moving, character-driven drama set on the windswept east coast of New Zealand, where an ancient Māori tribe believes it descends from Paikea, the ancestor who arrived riding on a whale. The story follows 11-year-old Pai, a headstrong and tender girl who feels a deep, almost mystical connection to her people's traditions — and to the whales that circle their shores. But Pai’s loving grandfather, Koro, is determined to find a male successor to lead the tribe, and he cannot accept that his future leader might be a girl. Watching the film, you’ll experience a rich blend of quiet beauty and emotional intensity: scenes of seaside ritual and schoolyard mischief, intimate family moments, painful confrontations, and small acts of stubborn courage. The movie balances heartbreak and humor as Pai fights centuries of custom not through grand speeches but through persistence, empathy and an uncanny bond with the natural world. The whale motif runs throughout, lending the film a mythic, poetic feeling that underscores themes of identity, belonging and change. Overall, Whale Rider is a heartfelt, uplifting story about resilience and the power of one young person to challenge tradition and inspire a community. It’s a touching, visually evocative film that will leave viewers moved, hopeful and thinking about the ways the past and future meet in family and culture.

Actors: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton

Director: Niki Caro

Runtime: 101 min

Genres: Drama, Family

6.9 /10 80 /100 7.5 /10 7.5 /10