By Mars Dalys
From the marketing of Whalefall (2026), you would half expect a tacky horror movie with its absurd premise of man being swallowed by a whale, to lack any real depth. In reality, it hides a lot more meaning under the surface.
Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall adapts the novel of the same name by Daniel Kraus, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The film follows Jay (Austin Abrams) who, after an altercation with a sperm whale, must wiggle out of its stomach before his oxygen tank runs out. This premise is original and engaging enough on its own that the very reason he ventured into the ocean is easily overlooked. Jay’s journey really begins when he decides to retrieve the remains of his father Mitt (Josh Brolin) who had committed suicide just a year earlier. With that, the story dives to darker depths than expected, and Jay’s battle with his grief hits us by surprise. His dive into the ocean becomes an exploration of his strained relationship with his father and a reckoning with all that was left unsaid between them. It would be bold to speak of scientific accuracy, but the film manages to toe the line of what’s believable. Though it would have been easier on the nerves if the inside of the whale had been poorly done, it’s disturbingly realistic thanks to the talented team who built full-scale sets in consultation with cetacean experts. As a result, an undeniable tension emerges when Jay is trapped in the whale, maybe not enough for the audience to feel as though we’re there with him, but enough to be glad we aren’t.
Jay’s adventure in the whale is a tumultuous one, leading to innumerable injuries, some more bloody than others, but always making the audience wince and our stomachs churn. The casting of Jay is a no-brainer, with Austin Abrams proving himself as more than capable of carrying such a film on his own as seen in Resident Evil (2026). It’s a joy to see the star back on the big screen, battling himself for the crown of worst day ever. A rising star of the horror genre since Weapons (2025), Abrams cements himself as an actor to keep your eye on, capable of both crazy stunts and emotional sequences, bringing much needed heart to his thrilling projects.
Sharing the screen with him is Josh Brolin, who’s very convincing in the role of the tormented father. The two actors play off each other in disputes as intense as the sea, and quieter moments that are just as gut-wrenching. Surprisingly, Whalefall is just as much about loneliness, love, and resentment, as it is about fighting for your life in the middle of the ocean. The second half of the film especially digs deep into the father-son relationship and adds an oddly metaphoric touch to the story. The duality of this sentimentality coupled with the tension might not be for everyone, as the numerous cuts between flashbacks and action scenes can become a bit redundant, but the film can also be quite touching if you allow it.
Whether you’re here for the whale, for Austin Abrams, or for an oddly poetic father-son relationship, it’s worth it to let yourself be surprised by Whalefall, as it makes for an unusual and quite unforgettable watch.