The Beaver

Play trailer

The Beaver

PG-13

2011

1h 31m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

184 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Ed Gibbs

Sydney Morning Herald

Aug 1, 2011

3/10

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Nov 6, 2026

The Beaver is a *3* star Movie! So why are some people giving it a *5* star rating???

See more

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.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 23, 2025

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

See more

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.

See more

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

See more

Ernest B

@ErnestB Jan 17, 2025

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jodie Foster

Director

Mel Gibson

Walter Black

Jodie Foster

Meredith Black

Anton Yelchin

Porter Black

Jennifer Lawrence

Norah

Riley Thomas Stewart

Henry Black

The Beaver: Official Clip - Can Your Mother Stitch?

2:12

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - Starting Over Isn't Crazy

2:13

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - I'm the Beaver

2:29

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - I'm Not A Puppet

1:52

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - You May Simply Call Me, The Beaver

2:12

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - This Man Is A Dead End

2:32

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - Dumpster Beaver

2:17

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - A Prescription Puppet

2:13

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - Mr. Beaver's Woodchopper Kit

2:10

Now Playing

The Beaver: Official Clip - You Made This For Me

2:12

Now Playing

View more videos

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

54%

44%

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Watchlist

People Like Us

52%

62%

People Like Us

Watchlist

A Better Life

85%

79%

A Better Life

Watchlist

Rabbit Hole

86%

72%

Rabbit Hole

Watchlist

Restless

36%

48%

Restless

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Anton Yelchin’s 10 Best Movies

Jennifer Lawrence’s 10 Best Movies

It Follows, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and More Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and FandangoNOW

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings