The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Last updated:
August 11, 2025

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) is a heartwarming, offbeat adventure that blends Southern charm with themes of friendship, freedom, and self-discovery. Directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, the film stars Zack Gottsagen, a newcomer with Down syndrome, alongside Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson. With its Mark Twain-esque journey downriver and a warm core, the film became one of the most talked-about indie hits of 2019.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Zak Escapes the Nursing Home

Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, has been living in a state-run nursing home in North Carolina, placed there due to a lack of better care options. But Zak has a dream: to become a professional wrestler and train with his idol, The Salt Water Redneck. After multiple failed attempts, he finally escapes—wearing nothing but his underwear—and begins his journey toward wrestling camp in rural Georgia.

Tyler and Zak’s Unlikely Bond

On the run from some illegal crab fishermen he crossed, Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a down-on-his-luck fisherman with a troubled past, finds himself on the same path as Zak. After initial hesitation, Tyler agrees to help Zak get to the wrestling school. Their odd-couple pairing becomes the film’s emotional engine. As they travel together on a makeshift raft through the rural American South, Tyler teaches Zak life skills—and Zak, in turn, teaches Tyler about loyalty, dreams, and forgiveness.

Eleanor Joins the Journey

Meanwhile, Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), Zak’s kind-hearted caretaker from the nursing home, is sent to retrieve him. When she finally finds the duo, she’s initially frustrated but soon charmed by their bond and moved by Zak’s newfound confidence. Reluctantly, she joins them on their journey, forming a trio with real chemistry.

Wrestling Dreams and Confrontations

After a series of touching and humorous adventures, including baptisms, blind gunmen, and boozy campfires, the group finally reaches the home of The Salt Water Redneck (played by Thomas Haden Church). Though initially skeptical and long-retired, the wrestler embraces Zak and agrees to train him. He even sets up a wrestling match with a local brute known as Sam, a towering fighter who doesn’t go easy on anyone.

Movie Ending

Zak enters the ring as The Peanut Butter Falcon, his newly chosen wrestling name. What begins as a lighthearted event quickly turns brutal when Sam throws Zak hard, prompting Tyler to step in and protect him. Tyler is seriously injured in the process. In a moment that blurs the line between fiction and fantasy, Zak lifts Sam over his head and throws him out of the ring—an impossible feat that plays like a magical realism moment or metaphorical triumph. The scene is symbolic, showing Zak’s inner strength more than literal physical prowess.

In the final scenes, Eleanor, Zak, and an injured Tyler are shown driving down the highway. Tyler survived the attack, and they are all heading to Florida, where Zak will start a new chapter of his life—free, surrounded by friends, and no longer confined by institutional labels. The ending is open to interpretation but hopeful, suggesting that Zak’s dream of a free life and Tyler’s redemption are both realized.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Peanut Butter Falcon does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story has been fully told—no teases, no setups, and no stingers. It’s a standalone journey that doesn’t need any afterthought.

Type of Movie

This film is a drama-comedy (dramedy) with strong elements of adventure, road movie, and indie feel-good storytelling. It’s deeply character-driven and emotional, infused with moments of humor, heart, and light social commentary.

Cast

Zack Gottsagen as Zak
Shia LaBeouf as Tyler
Dakota Johnson as Eleanor
Thomas Haden Church as The Salt Water Redneck
Bruce Dern as Carl (Zak’s roommate)
John Hawkes as Duncan
Yelawolf as Ratboy

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Zachary Dawes, Jonathan Sadoff, and Noam Pikelny. The soundtrack features a mix of folk, bluegrass, and Americana, perfectly complementing the film’s Southern roots and gentle tone. The music never overpowers, instead enhancing the emotional beats and tranquil river scenes.

Filming Locations

Shot largely in Savannah, Georgia and parts of North Carolina, the film’s settings add an authentic Southern backdrop to the story. Swamps, marshlands, and sleepy river towns all play key roles, almost functioning as characters themselves. The slow, humid landscape mirrors the emotional transformation of the characters—natural, unforced, and beautiful in its imperfections.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender in the traditional sense, the film received strong recognition:

South by Southwest (SXSW) Audience Award – Winner
Palm Springs International Film Festival – Rising Star Award for Zack Gottsagen
Nominated for Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards
Widespread critical acclaim for Zack Gottsagen’s breakthrough performance

Behind the Scenes Insights

Zack Gottsagen inspired the entire film. The directors met him at a camp for actors with disabilities and wrote the script specifically for him.
Shia LaBeouf described working with Zack as life-changing and credits the film with helping him overcome a personal low point.
The film had a very small budget and was shot over 5 weeks.
Much of the film was shot on location, with real natural lighting and minimal CGI.
Zack improvised some of his lines, which added authenticity to the role.

Inspirations and References

The film draws inspiration from:

Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – The journey downriver, the runaway theme, and the unlikely friendship echo Twain’s classic.
Real-life stories of individuals with Down syndrome seeking more independence and visibility.
The narrative was loosely inspired by Zack Gottsagen’s real desire to become an actor and star in a film.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending has been officially released, the filmmakers have noted that there were longer scenes involving Zak’s life at the nursing home and more background on Tyler’s criminal past. These were cut to maintain pacing and focus on the trio’s journey.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not based on a book, but its storytelling is heavily influenced by classic American literature and Southern folklore. It feels literary without being an adaptation.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Zak escaping the nursing home in his underwear, covered in soap.
Tyler teaching Zak how to shoot a gun, fish, and swim.
The moment Zak chooses his wrestling name: The Peanut Butter Falcon.
Zak’s triumphant (and possibly fantastical) body slam in the wrestling match.
The trio’s emotional campfire bonding scene.

Iconic Quotes

“Friends are the family you choose.” – Tyler
“I’m going to be a hero.” – Zak
“You are invited to leave right now, or you are invited to go through that window.” – Tyler to Eleanor
“What’s rule number one?” – Tyler
“Party.” – Zak

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The name Salt Water Redneck is a playful nod to classic Southern wrestling personas from the 1980s.
Tyler’s boat is named Jungle Jane, possibly referencing Tarzan and Jane, a symbolic pairing for the raw, nature-filled journey.
The film’s structure mimics the “hero’s journey” narrative, with Zak as the unlikely hero.

Trivia

This was Zack Gottsagen’s first major film role.
Shia LaBeouf got arrested during production, and Zack called him out, telling him he was better than that—this moment deeply impacted LaBeouf.
Directors Nilson and Schwartz had no prior feature film experience; this was their debut.
The film became the highest-grossing indie film of 2019 in the U.S.

Why Watch?

Watch The Peanut Butter Falcon if you’re craving a heartfelt story with genuine emotion, character growth, and a bit of Southern adventure. It’s an uplifting film that tackles disability with respect and honesty, while also being downright entertaining. It’s the kind of film that leaves you smiling—maybe even tearing up a little.

Director’s Other Movies

This is the debut feature film for both Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)