What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Movie • 1993 • Drama  

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Gilbert Grape is a small-town young man with a lot of responsibility. Chief among his concerns are his mother, who is so overweight that she can't leave the house, and his mentally impaired younger brother, Arnie, who has a knack for finding trouble. Settled into a job at a grocery store and an ongoing affair with local woman Betty Carver, Gilbert finally has his life shaken up by the free-spirited Becky.
This movie contains 31 potentially triggering events.
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Both
Yes
No

Your Triggers
Does the dog die?
344 supporters
Yes
0
No
20
0
Anonymous
No dogs in film
1 comment | Add comment
Unanswered Triggers
Were animals harmed in the making?
112 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Is an animal abandoned?
75 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Is a woman brutalized for spectacle?
69 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Is an animal sad?
63 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Yes
0
No
0
Is there on-screen pooping?
33 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Are there sudden loud noises?
31 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Are there end credit scenes?
30 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Is there throat mutilation?
25 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Is there BDSM?
18 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
0
Abandonment
Is a child abandoned by a parent?
27 supporters
Add comment
Yes
3
No
2
Abuse
Are there abusive parents?
45 supporters
Add comment
Yes
1
No
3
Yes
2
No
2
Is someone stalked?
26 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
1
Ouchies2
In one scene Gilbert becomes frustrated trying to get Arnie to have a bath and roughly drags and slaps him.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is someone gaslighted?
37 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
11
Is a child abused?
87 supporters
Yes
15
No
3
1
Waxlady
The older brother (Gilbert) beats up the younger brother (Arnie)
1 comment | Add comment
Addiction
Yes
0
No
10
Is there addiction?
15 supporters
Yes
8
No
6
2
TheCassandraComplex
To address the other comment, obesity itself is not addiction or even necessarily a result of addictive behavior. It CAN be a result of addictive behavior but to assume the character is obese due to food addiction is a completely fatphobic assumption considering the underlying causes are not addressed or even mentioned in the film.
3 comments | Add comment
Does someone abuse alcohol?
14 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
Animal
Does a horse die?
77 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
16
Does an animal die?
(besides a dog, cat or horse)
144 supporters
Yes
22
No
1
3
KathyT154
A cricket

4 comments | Add comment
Are animals abused?
168 supporters
Yes
13
No
3
3
Waxlady
A bug is beheaded by Arnie
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Yes
10
No
3
1
Nylah_jp
Nothing graphic it was a cricket, but Arnie seemed very upset over it.
2 comments | Add comment
Are rabbits harmed?
51 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Does a cat die?
144 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
17
Does a pet die?
132 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Does a dragon die?
25 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Are there spiders?
41 supporters
Add comment
Yes
1
No
12
Are there alligators/crocodiles??
1 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Are there snakes?
16 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Are there sharks?
5 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Are there bugs?
27 supporters
Yes
17
No
2
0
Nylah_jp
There is a grasshopper shown briefly at the start of the movie
1 comment | Add comment
Assault
Is someone drugged?
26 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Is there pedophilia?
98 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Yes
2
No
2
1
crunchy_viking
a character drowns but it is not shown
1 comment | Add comment
Is rape mentioned?
74 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
0
SquiddyKat
Not by a bully, Artie's brother loses it and hits him.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
7
No
1
2
Sid
Arnie is restrained by his siblings when he sees something upsetting and begins to harm himself
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
4
No
13
0
Sid
Betty Carver fellates Gilbert when he is on the phone and doesn’t want her to
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Bodily Harm
Is there shaving/cutting?
32 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Yes
0
No
11
-1
Sid
Arnie pretends to hang himself and makes choking noises
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
4
No
2
1
crunchy_viking
a bug is decapitated
1 comment | Add comment
Is there cannibalism?
29 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is someone crushed to death?
26 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Yes
2
No
17
2
SERENITY
They set fire to a house with a dead woman inside. But she is already dead.
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone buried alive?
23 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Is there body horror?
42 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is there amputation?
24 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Yes
5
No
9
2
Waxlady
Arnie squashes a bug's head (the actual act isn't shown though)
1 comment | Add comment
Is there Achilles Tendon injury?
15 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is there a hanging?
31 supporters
Yes
10
No
4
2
missevil399
Never shown but they talk about how the character did it.
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
2
No
4
1
Sid
Arnie mimes hanging himself in an impression of his father who committed suicide by that method
1 comment | Add comment
Is there genital trauma/mutilation?
71 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
9
Does someone become unconscious?
5 supporters
Add comment
Yes
1
No
4
Does someone break a bone?
19 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Yes
1
No
15
0
Sid
Arbor’s panic attacks and echolalia can look a little seizure-like
1 comment | Add comment
Are any teeth damaged?
42 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Yes
1
No
14
1
Nylah_jp
Arnie gets a cut on his wrist after Ellen drags him across the ground
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone tortured?
71 supporters
Yes
3
No
14
0
missevil399
*spoilers* Gilbert beats up Arnie
1 comment | Add comment
Does someone fall down stairs?
7 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Yes
0
No
14
0
TheCassandraComplex
No but someone is in danger of this.
1 comment | Add comment
Is there eye mutilation?
82 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is there excessive gore?
73 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Children
Is an infant abducted?
14 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Does a kid die?
38 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Yes
2
No
4
0
Sid
In the book version Gilbert is 26 and Betty is 15 but they appear to be roughly the same age in the film
1 comment | Add comment
Death
Does someone sacrifice themselves?
9 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Does a major character die?
20 supporters
Add comment
Yes
3
No
0
Does a non-human character die?
21 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Does someone die?
12 supporters
Add comment
Yes
4
No
0
Disability
1
FleetwoodMacNCheez
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays an intellectually disabled teen
1 comment | Add comment
Is the r-slur used?
31 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Drugs/Alcohol
Does someone overdose?
14 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Family
Does a family member die?
19 supporters
Add comment
Yes
4
No
0
Does a parent die?
19 supporters
Yes
28
No
0
1
Sid
Also Betty’s husband dies and everyone thinks she murdered him
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
8
0
Sid
Probably in the fire at the end
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone kidnapped?
7 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
11
Does someone cheat?
16 supporters
Yes
16
No
0
1
Nylah_jp
Betty cheats on her husband with Gilbert
1 comment | Add comment
Fear
Are there ghosts?
9 supporters
Yes
0
No
13
0
Nylah_jp
There are no ghosts but there is a brief scene when Arnie is making ghost noises (which is him imitating his dead father) when he is asked to go help in the basement.
1 comment | Add comment
Are there jump scares?
53 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Yes
14
No
2
0
SquiddyKat
Artie baths twice.
3 comments | Add comment
Are there natural bodies of water?
0 supporters
Add comment
Yes
2
No
1
Are there clowns?
11 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Is someone possessed?
14 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is trypophobic content shown?
19 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Are there razors?
S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® (1-800-DONTCUT)
12 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Are there mannequins?
5 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Gross
Does someone vomit?
88 supporters
Add comment
Yes
1
No
16
Does someone wet/soil themselves?
17 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
6
Is there farting?
10 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Is someone eaten?
26 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Does someone spit?
8 supporters
Yes
13
No
0
0
Nylah_jp
Arnie spits out corn at the start of the film
1 comment | Add comment
Is there audio gore?
40 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
Large-scale Violence
Are there 9/11 depictions?
8 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Law Enforcement
Is there copaganda?
26 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
7
LGBTQ+
Are there transphobic slurs?
43 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is there deadnaming or birthnaming?
31 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is there bisexual cheating?
21 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is an LGBT+ person outed?
21 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Medical
Is electro-therapy used?
1 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Are needles/syringes used?
29 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Is there a mental institution scene?
23 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Is there a hospital scene?
11 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Does someone have cancer?
17 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Mental Health
Does someone have a mental illness?
11 supporters
Add comment
Yes
2
No
2
Yes
10
No
8
1
Anonymous
Arnie purposely hits himself in the head when he’s upset
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
2
No
2
4
TheCassandraComplex
Quick Disclaimer: I am a “passing” autistic woman with no comorbid intellectual disability so my perspective isn’t as relevant to this particular movie as those with an ID who are less able to mask. If such a person adds their thoughts here, I encourage you to upvote them over me.

Arnie has an unspecified genetic developemental disability that is likely autism with a comorbid intellectual disability. There’s no doubt that Leo’s performance was convincing and, I think, fairly sensitive and nuanced for the time. However, it’s always potentially triggering whenever a neurotypical actor plays someone neurodivergent. It can be hurtful and feel like mocking despite the all the best intentions of the actor or filmmakers, so I am marking “yes” to this question just to be safe.
1 comment | Add comment
0
Sid
An extremely stressed person breaks down and hurts someone
1 comment | Add comment
Is there D.I.D. misrepresentation?
18 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Yes
20
No
0
1
Ouchies2
In one scene Gilbert slaps, fights and roughly drags Arnie to try and get him to have a bath.

In another scene he leaves him to have a bath alone while he goes out with a girl and he comes back the next day and Arnie is still in the bath shivering as he needed help. This was not portrayed as malicious but is an upsetting image.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
2
No
1
Is reality unstable or unhinged?
17 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Is there misophonia?
32 supporters
Yes
1
No
2
1
Sid
Arnie seems to be sensitive to some noises. Throughout the film, he screams a lot which might be distressing to some people
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
4
No
7
0
Nylah_jp
I wouldn't call it a 'anxiety attack' but Arnie is freaking out and hitting his head after his mother dies
3 comments | Add comment
Is there ABA therapy?
15 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Yes
0
No
6
Is there body dysmorphia?
28 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Is there a claustrophobic scene?
17 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
2
Sid
The mother started binge-eating after her husband died and is so overweight that she hasn’t left the house in seven years
5 comments | Add comment
2
KathyT154
The father hanged himself in the cellar, it‘s mentioned but never shown.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
3
No
1
1
Sid
The boys are both very affected by their father’s suicide before the events of the film
1 comment | Add comment
Noxious
Is there shakey cam?
1 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Does a baby cry?
13 supporters
Yes
1
No
5
0
SquiddyKat
Arnie cries after the death of a grass hopper
1 comment | Add comment
0
RedEyeJedi
Some language throughout and one character flips off another.
1 comment | Add comment
Are there flashing lights or images?
44 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Paranoia
Yes
0
No
6
0
Sid
There is narration if that counts
1 comment | Add comment
Pregnancy
Is a baby stillborn?
22 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
6
Does someone miscarry?
21 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Are there babies or unborn children?
14 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Is there childbirth?
20 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Are there abortions?
13 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Does a pregnant person die?
16 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Prejudice
Are there homophobic slurs?
40 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
1
missevil399
The family screams at Arnie, and there's ableist behavior from some of the townspeople.
2 comments | Add comment
Are there usages of the n-word?
32 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
9
Are there "Man in a dress" jokes?
33 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
7
Does an LGBT person die?
30 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Are there fat jokes?
51 supporters
Yes
22
No
0
1
Nylah_jp
Gilbert occasionally makes fun of his mothers weight.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there aphobia?
18 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Is a minority is misrepresented?
24 supporters
Add comment
Yes
3
No
2
Does the black guy die first?
20 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Is there hate speech?
26 supporters
Yes
0
No
9
-1
Nylah_jp
Gilbert makes hurtful comments about his mother constantly
1 comment | Add comment
Race
Is there blackface?
28 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Relationships
Yes
4
No
0
0
Sid
In the book version Gilbert is 26 and Becky is 15 but they seem to be roughly the same age in the film
1 comment | Add comment
Sex
Are there nude scenes?
38 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Is there bestiality?
76 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Is someone sexually objectified?
43 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Are there incestuous relationships?
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.4673
83 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Yes
21
No
2
1
Waxlady
Sexual scene when Gilbert delivers groceries
3 comments | Add comment
Sexism
Yes
0
No
4
Sickness
Does someone have a stroke?
9 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
1
Sid
Arnie has an undisclosed disability and wasn’t supposed to reach the age of ten. It’s repeatedly mentioned that “he could go at any time”
1 comment | Add comment
Is there dementia/Alzheimer's?
24 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Social
Are there fat suits?
25 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Are there anti-abortion themes?
32 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Spoiler
Is Santa (et al) spoiled?
3 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Yes
5
No
5
0
SquiddyKat
Yes.
3 comments | Add comment
Vehicular
Does a car honk or tires screech?
13 supporters
Add comment
Yes
3
No
0
Does a car crash?
18 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Does a plane crash?
10 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is someone hit by a car?
20 supporters
Add comment
Yes
1
No
11
Violence
Does someone drown?
16 supporters
Yes
11
No
4
1
Waxlady
Woman's husband drowned in a kiddie pool.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there blood/gore?
51 supporters
Yes
12
No
3
0
Nylah_jp
Not graphic, Arnie is seen with blood on his face twice but not graphic at all just a few cuts.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there a nuclear explosion?
6 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is there gun violence?
23 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
11