The Squid and the Whale is a 2005 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach and produced by Wes Anderson.

In 1986, arrogant, twice-divorced aspiring novelist Bernard Berkman lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his third wife Joan and their two sons, sixteen-year-old Walt and twelve-year-old Frank.

The parents initially agree upon a joint custody arrangement that allows them to evenly spend time with their children, but following the separation, their relationship becomes more combative than before.

The conflict between the parents soon leads to the brothers disputing as well; Frank sides with Joan, while Walt, who idolizes Bernard, blames her for the deterioration of their family, especially after she admits to having a series of affairs.

Walt, influenced by his father, admonishes and effectively breaks up with his girlfriend for wanting a committed relationship with him, later developing an attraction to Lili.

Walt performs "Hey You" by Pink Floyd at his school's talent show, claiming it as an original song, and wins first prize.

The young Walt was scared of the giant squid and sperm whale diorama, and would hide his eyes behind his hands when they passed it.

Bill Murray, a frequent collaborator to producer Wes Anderson, was considered for the role of Bernard Berkman.

The site's critical consensus reads, "This is a piercingly honest, acidly witty look at divorce and its impact on a family.

"[14] Time critic Richard Corliss wrote, "The Squid and the Whale is domestic tragedy recollected as comedy: a film whose catalog of deceits and embarrassments, and of love pratfalling over itself, makes it as (excruciatingly) painful as it is (exhilaratingly) funny.

[29] The Criterion Collection re-released the film on DVD and Blu-ray on November 22, 2016 which included new interviews with Baumbach and actors Jeff Daniels, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline and Laura Linney; a new conversation about the score and other music in the film between Baumbach and composers Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips; a 2005 documentary titled Behind The Squid and the Whale; audition footage; and the original trailers.

It reuses Tangerine Dream's "Love on a Real Train", from Risky Business, for the scenes of Frank's sexual awakenings.

Pink Floyd's "Hey You" is heard several times in the movie, since it plays a role in the plot and is cited by Walt as capturing his emotional state.