Blackfish 2013

Blackfish

Critics Consensus

Blackfish is an aggressive, impassioned documentary that will change the way you look at performance killer whales.

98%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 131

90%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 28,690

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Movie Info

The story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals.

Cast & Crew

Tilikum
Himself
John Hargrove
Himself
Samantha Berg
Himself
Mark Simmons
Himself
Kim Ashdown
Himself
Dean Gomersall
Himself
James Earl Jones
Carol Ray
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Director
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Screenwriter
Eli B. Despres
Screenwriter
Tim Zimmerman
Screenwriter
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Producer
Manuel Oteyza
Producer
Judy Bart
Executive Producer
Erica Kahn
Executive Producer
Jonathan Ingalls
Cinematographer
Christopher Towey
Cinematographer
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Critic Reviews for Blackfish

All Critics (131) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (129) | Rotten (2)

  • You won't forget Cowperthwaite's documentary, and you shouldn't.

    January 9, 2017 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

    Roxana Hadadi

    Punch Drunk Critics

  • Save the whale? After watching this documentary about the mistreatment of killer whales, you'll never mock that sentiment again.

    January 1, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Anthony Quinn

    Independent (UK)

  • A troubling expos of Sea World's hazardous entertainment trade.

    January 1, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Joshua Rothkopf

    Time Out

  • Blackfish is a heartbreaking documentary, forensically constructed by Gabriella Cowperthwaite, about the extreme psychological distress of killer whales kept in captivity and used to entertain crowds at venues such as SeaWorld in Orlando.

    January 1, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Jenny McCartney

    Daily Telegraph (UK)

  • Blackfish makes an especially strong case for the innate marvel of these animals: that they are smart, social, communicative and loving.

    January 1, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Geoff Pevere

    Globe and Mail

  • Gabriela Cowperthwaite's eye-opening, edge-of-your-seat feature "Blackfish" has it all: an oversized villain, chilling attack footage, corporate malfeasance, and girls in bikinis.

    October 31, 2013 | Full Review…

    Thelma Adams

    Yahoo! Movies
View All Critic Reviews (131)

Audience Reviews for Blackfish

  • Jun 29, 2016
    Blackfish is an eye-opening exploit drenched in heartbreak and controversy as it explores the extent of captivity. A documentary hell-bent on impact and change that is both memorable and provoking. 4.5/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 20, 2016
    This doco shows what majestic intelligent creatures orca are and makes a strong case against holding them in captivity.
    Juli R Super Reviewer
  • Apr 06, 2014
    From what I hear it is one sided, but it will make you not even want to consider going to a water park with these animals again.
    Vincent T Super Reviewer
  • Mar 05, 2014
    A heart-wrenching, truly saddening documentary which concerns the corrupt practices of SeaWorld, notably how they put the well-being of their trainers on the line in the name of money and profits. This film is geared to get the viewer angry, and it does that by giving many examples of how SeaWorld knew what they were doing was wrong, but still lied about it to cover their own tracks. The death of Dawn Brancheau and how they have the gaul to blame her for her demise instead of the killer whale that viciously murdered her. It is a heavy film, at times threatening to pummel the viewer down into submission, but ultimately is an effective one that will not leave you quickly.
    Dan S Super Reviewer
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