Brendan Fraser reaches his wit’s end as Charlie in the new trailer for Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.
Written by Samuel D. Hunter and based on his original stage play, The Whale follows Charlie (Fraser), a 600-pound reclusive online English professor who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Ellie (Sink).
As Charlie struggles to explain why it’s so important for him to have Ellie back in his life, he scream-cries the trailer’s final line: “I need to know that I have done one thing right with my life.”
At one minute and 50 seconds, the new trailer is nearly twice as long as the original one-minute and four-second trailer that A24 released a month ago. It also has a lot more dialogue, giving us a better sense of who Sadie Sink and Hong Chau’s characters are and what their relationship with Charlie is like. We also get our first glimpse at Ty Simpkin’s character.
“You’re an amazing person, Ellie. I couldn’t ask for a more incredible daughter,” Charlie tells Ellie.
“Are you actually trying to parent me right now?” she shoots back, revealing the strained nature of their relationship.
Also Read: The Whale Trailer: Brendan Fraser Believes in the Good of Humanity (Video)
Charlie replies, “Who would want me to be a part of their life?”
The trailer also reveals a painful incident in Charlie’s life.
“Why’d you gain all that weight?” Ellie asks.
“Someone close to me passed away, and it had an effect on me,” Charlie answers.
Aronofsky, whose past work includes The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream, produces alongside Jeremy Dawson and Ari Handel. Tyson Bidner and Scott Franklin executive produce while Dylan Golden and Brendan Naylor associate produce.
Fraser is predicted to be nominated for the best actor Oscar after receiving multiple lengthy standing ovations at festivals where The Whale has screened and overwhelmingly positive reactions to his acting performance as Charlie.
The Whale arrives in theaters nationwide on Dec. 21.
Watch the full trailer above.
Main Image: Brendan Fraser as Charlie in The Whale. Photo Credit: A24.