In theaters on October 16th is ‘Whalefall,’ which stars Austin Abrams (‘Resident Evil’) and is directed by Brian Duffield (‘No One Will Save You’). The cast also includes Josh Brolin (‘The Dog Stars’), Elisabeth Shue (‘Leaving Las Vegas’), John Ortiz (‘Silver Linings Playbook’), Jane Levy (‘Don’t Breathe’) and Emily Rudd (‘Moonshot’). Related Article: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro & Josh Brolin Returning for ‘Sicario 3’ Initial Thoughts Considered almost unfilmable due to its lonely predicam…
In theaters on October 16th is ‘Whalefall,’ which stars Austin Abrams (‘Resident Evil’) and is directed by Brian Duffield (‘No One Will Save You’). The cast also includes Josh Brolin (‘The Dog Stars’), Elisabeth Shue (‘Leaving Las Vegas’), John Ortiz (‘Silver Linings Playbook’), Jane Levy (‘Don’t Breathe’) and Emily Rudd (‘Moonshot’). Related Article: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro & Josh Brolin Returning for ‘Sicario 3’ Initial Thoughts Considered almost unfilmable due to its lonely predicam… Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner in ‘Whalefall’. Photo: 20th Century Studios.
In theaters on October 16th is ‘Whalefall,’ which stars Austin Abrams (‘Resident Evil’) and is directed by Brian Duffield (‘No One Will Save You’).
The cast also includes Josh Brolin (‘The Dog Stars’), Elisabeth Shue (‘Leaving Las Vegas’), John Ortiz (‘Silver Linings Playbook’), Jane Levy (‘Don’t Breathe’) and Emily Rudd (‘Moonshot’).
Related Article: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro & Josh Brolin Returning for ‘Sicario 3’
Initial Thoughts
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner in ‘Whalefall’. Photo: 20th Century Studios.
Considered almost unfilmable due to its lonely predicament, Daniel Kraus’ 2023 survival thriller tome has nevertheless now been swum to screens by Brian Duffield, who worked with the novelist to adapt it.
Trouble is, while the pair have exploited the nifty concept of a young diver trapped inside a sperm whale to full effect, the family issue side of the movie is frustratingly basic, even given a veteran actor in the cast.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Director Brian Duffield and actor Austin Abrams on the set of ‘Whalefall’. Photo: Jennifer Clasen/20th Century Studios.
As mentioned, director Duffield and novelist Kraus worked on the script together, and have made a few tweaks in the story’s journey from page to screen. The strength is in the scenes with less dialogue: Abrams’ Jay trying to figure out how to survive in the belly of a sperm whale. It’s when he’s flashing back to time with tough-as-nails diver father Mitt (Brolin) that the issues arrive. And we don’t just mean daddy issues.
Duffield does a solid job with his creative team bringing both the inside and the outside of the whale to life. It’s just a shame that everything else feels so basic and never matches the inventiveness of his last film, alien invasion horror thriller ‘No One Will Save You.’
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner and Josh Brolin as Mitt Gardiner in ‘Whalefall’ Photo: © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The movie is very much carried by Abrams, who already proved he can handle lots of scenes effectively by himself in ‘Resident Evil.’ Here, he’s solid as the troubled Jay and is fine opposite Brolin, even if they’re both hampered by the script.
Everyone else might as well just be expositional or set dressing, but shout out to Buddy the jellyfish (okay, more built prop than cast member) who puts in some enlightening work.
Final Thoughts
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner in ‘Whalefall’. Photo: 20th Century Studios.
Not a bad film by any means, ‘Whalefall’ (the title refers to a dead whale’s carcass falling to the ocean’s floor to become a habitat) is more a missed opportunity. More Whale Of A Try than WhaleFail.
‘Whalefall’ receives 69 out of 100.
Josh Brolin as Mitt Gardiner in ‘Whalefall.’ Photo: 20th Century Studios.
What is the plot of ‘Whalefall’?
‘Whalefall’ follows a scuba diver who, while looking for his father’s remains, is swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm whale and has just one hour to get out before his oxygen runs out.
Who is in the cast of ‘Whalefall’?
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner
Josh Brolin as Mitt Gardiner
Elisabeth Shue as Zara Gardiner
John Ortiz as Hewey
Jane Levy as Eva Gardiner
Emily Rudd as Nan Gardiner
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner in 20th Century Studios’ WHALEFALL. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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