The Peanut Butter Falcon

Who it's for

Zak escapes a care facility because he wants a life, not just safety, which puts the 'dignity of risk' at the centre of the story.

Feelings it meets

• Chronic Illness
• Motivation
• Starting Over

What it is

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a 2019 comedy-drama written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. Zak, a young man with Down syndrome, leaves a state-run care facility to train as a professional wrestler under his hero, the Salt Water Redneck. On the run, he teams up with Tyler, a fisherman fleeing trouble of his own, who teaches him life skills and becomes his wrestling coach.

Where to find it

Rent or buy on major digital stores. Streaming availability rotates; check JustWatch.

Before you start

Heads up: Violence and ableist slurs.

Age: PG-13 (thematic content, language, some violence, smoking)

“Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all –Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the thing with feathers” (poem 314)