Part 7/10:
A pointed critique from some viewers was that the lack of real overweight actors on set might contribute to inauthentic storytelling, especially in films that aim to depict the lived realities of obesity. Whether or not this was the case with The Whale, critics emphasize the importance of genuine representation for such stories to resonate ethically and accurately.
Moreover, the film’s plot point where Charlie refuses medical help was criticized for ignoring the realities of fear and trauma that many obese individuals face within the healthcare system — issues rooted in real experiences of discrimination and medical bias.