Killer Whale

What’s it about?

Two best friends find themselves trapped on a remote lagoon while being hunted by a vengeful orca.

The facts

• Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin
• Starring Virginia Gardner (Fall) and Mel Jarnson (Mortal Kombat)
• English language
• Runtime: 89 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Drug use

Characters take unidentified pills while drinking and partying. This scene is very brief.

Violence

An armed robbery occurs in a diner. During the confrontation, one character is struck with the gun and another is injured by a gunshot, with some brief blood shown. The scene ends with a vehicle hitting a character, with the focus largely on the emotional impact and shock of those involved.

Content that may disturb

Characters are killed by the orca in brutal ways. The strongest scenes include:

• A body floats in dark water. There is no visible injury, but blood spreading from their head indicates they died.
• Close-ups of a character’s severed arm floating in water, with puncture wounds and torn flesh clearly shown.
• A character attacked by the orca drags themselves ashore, blood spills from their mouth, and they die. Overhead shot shows bloody remains of a leg with blood-stained waters.

Offensive language

Infrequent offensive language is used including words like “f*ck”, “sh*t”, “b*tch” and “d*ck”. The language is used in fear, desperation and casually.

When content stays with you

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?