The Beaver

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The Beaver

PG-13

2011

1h 31m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

62%

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185 Reviews

55%

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10,000+ Ratings

Walter Black (Mel Gibson), the head of a failing toy company, is deeply depressed. His marriage to Meredith (Jodie Foster) is broken and his oldest son, Porter (Anton Yelchin), hates him. When Meredith finally throws him out of the house, Walter begins his final tailspin. Drunk and alone, Walter is about to commit suicide -- but is saved by the voice of the beaver puppet he found in a dumpster. Wearing the puppet on his hand, Walter speaks only through it and tries to get his life on track.

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Critics Consensus

Jodie Foster's visual instincts and Mel Gibson's all-in performance sell this earnest, straightforward movie.

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Anna Smith

metro.co.uk

Aug 24, 2018

2/5

This might have been better as an intimate drama about mental illness and it doesn't have time to explore all of its themes.

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Leah Rozen

TheWrap

Oct 7, 2011

It's a bummer of a movie -- dark and at cross-purposes with both itself and any image do-over [Gibson] might be seeking.

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Ed Gibbs

Sydney Morning Herald

Aug 1, 2011

3/10

This is a wholly wasted opportunity for Gibson -- and a disappointing misfire from Foster.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Feb 16, 2024

3/5

Are you willing to watch a good actor at work, or is the mugshot and scandals all you see and hear? Where you come from with your perspective on that essential question will (unfortunately) factor into how well you like or dislike The Beaver.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 9, 2023

2/4

Foster does her audience an injustice by adopting a humorless tone and refusing to have more fun with the obvious elephant in the room.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4/5

I only wish that Gibson and Yelchin had more screen time.

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Blake- N

@PBSAniDom May 25, 2026

The Beaver is a good film that mixes drama and dark humor in a way that feels unusual but effective. It takes a strange premise and turns it into something surprisingly human and emotional. Mel Gibson gives a strong performance, and Jodie Foster also does excellent work both in front of and behind the camera. Her direction gives the film a steady, thoughtful tone that helps the material feel grounded. What stands out most is how the movie handles pain, family, and recovery without losing its sense of character. It is not a flashy film, but it is sincere and well-acted, which makes it worth watching. The emotional balance and offbeat tone give it a distinct personality that keeps it from feeling ordinary. Overall, The Beaver is a solid and memorable drama with real heart. It may not be for everyone, but I found it engaging, thoughtful, and easy to revisit. I rate it a 7/10. It holds up well overall, even now.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 23, 2025

The worldwide gross is $7,294,800.00, less than the budget of $21,000,000.00.

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Ti H.

@Tisha Oct 13, 2025

The Beaver started out terrific--as a comedy. Then, it got serious and tried to be serious, and it went off the rails. Ultimately, what a lousy movie that could've been something truly special instead of the depressing 3/4 of a movie that we were given. The movie was more depressing than depression. They could've kept the Jennifer Lawrence part and the Sun's part they didn't have to have Mel Gibson cutting off his hand that just borders on a ridiculous and damaging. It is no way helps or furthers the cause of actual depressive people.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 Jun 16, 2025

I don't know really what to say... Maybe there's a reason why this film isn't so well known

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Ernest B

@ErnestB Jan 17, 2025

"The Beaver" You mean "Idle Hands" if it was sad?

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Faiz D

@RT95588871 Aug 29, 2024

The Beaver is a strange, but a sensitive film with great performances from Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster (also the director of the film). In my opinion it is a very underrated movie.

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Jodie Foster

Director

Mel Gibson

Walter Black

Jodie Foster

Meredith Black

Anton Yelchin

Porter Black

Jennifer Lawrence

Norah

Riley Thomas Stewart

Henry Black

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Synopsis

Walter Black (Mel Gibson), the head of a failing toy company, is deeply depressed. His marriage to Meredith (Jodie Foster) is broken and his oldest son, Porter (Anton Yelchin), hates him. When Meredith finally throws him out of the house, Walter begins his final tailspin. Drunk and alone, Walter is about to commit suicide -- but is saved by the voice of the beaver puppet he found in a dumpster. Wearing the puppet on his hand, Walter speaks only through it and tries to get his life on track.

Director: Jodie Foster
Producer: Steve Golin
Screenwriter: Kyle Killen
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Anonymous Content
Rating: PG-13 (Language|A Drug Reference|Mature Thematic Material|Sexuality|Some Disturbing Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 6, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 3, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $958.3K
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS

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