The Peanut Butter Falcon Parent Guide

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a perplexing movie. Is it a heartwarming Huck Finn tale of two renegades on the run, figuring out if they’re the good guys or bad guys in their own stories? Or is it a modern attempt to tackle how we relate to, communicate with, and treat people with disabilities? Having watched the film and ruminated over it at length, I still can’t give you a firm answer. I think the response is subjective – and you’ll need to decide for yourself.

Zak (Zack Gottsagen) is a twenty-two year old man with Down Syndrome. He has no family and has been warehoused in a nursing home because the state lacks an appropriate facility. Not surprisingly, Zak decides to escape and pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler. He’s even picked his own stage name - The Peanut Butter Falcon. Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) is a crab fisherman who steals other fishermen’s catches. This is risky and, having been trapped in a sticky position, he commits an unplanned act of arson, putting him on the run from the law. When Tyler and Zak cross paths, they pair up as they try to avoid their pursuers on their journey towards freedom.

The highlight of the film is the relationship between Tyler and Zak. Both Gottsagen’s and LaBeouf’s performances shine. Their relationship is kind, real, and enjoyable to watch. Tyler is simultaneously protective of Zak and supportive of his independence. Others treat him disrespectfully or are overly protective. Zak is portrayed as a real person, and is not painted, as people with disabilities often are in films, as a saint, an angel, or a gift to those around him. He’s hilarious, insightful, irreverent, and a bit of a troublemaker. While others, including audience members, might be dismissive of Zak’s impulsive generosity, Tyler understands Zak and respects the sincerity with which he acts on his emotions. This is easily the best part of the movie.

Thankfully this rich relationship is supported by excellent performances by the lead actors, particularly Zack Gottsagen’s. Having a person with Down Syndrome actually portrayed by an actor with Down Syndrome makes the film more authentic and pushes back against Hollywood’s penchant for having disabled characters played by big stars or non-disabled actors. Gottsagen brings an innocence to his portrayal along with a sweetness and occasional hilarity that make the performance a high point of the film.

The most difficult part of going to see the The Peanut Butter Falcon, is watching people mistreat and abuse Zak, especially because this is a reality for many people with disabilities. The sheer cruelty was enough to make me recoil in empathetic pain and disgust – and parents will want to keep this in mind as they consider this movie for family viewing. This is definitely not a story for kids, but older teens might be interested in some of the questions raised in the film, unless they will be too upset by the bullying scenes on the big screen.

Surprisingly for me, seeing the movie in a crowded theater made the experience worse as I listened to the audience laugh at Zak. There is a difference between laughing with someone and laughing at someone and I wasn’t sure if the rest of the audience saw that line the same way I did. I think I would have preferred to watch the movie alone. There was something about the large crowd in the theater that made it feel more Elephant Man than I was comfortable with. So, I guess what I’m saying is, go and see The Peanut Butter Falcon. But maybe go to a Tuesday matinee when everyone’s at work so you won’t feel like you’re part of a crowd laughing at a disabled man. You will be able to enjoy this warm, human story much better on your own.