Ahead of Whalefall’s theatrical release, critics have started publishing reviews, adding another strong film to Josh Brolin’s filmography. The new survival thriller sees Austin Abrams’ character getting swallowed by a sperm whale. In the feature adaptation of author Daniel Kraus‘ eponymous 2023 novel, Brolin plays Abrams’ character’s late father.
At the time of this article’s publication, Whalefall has a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer with 56 reviews. While that’s positive by all metrics, it ranks considerably lower in Brolin’s filmography. At this point, Whalefall ranks at #20 among movies starring Brolin.
ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim gave the film a positive review, noting that it features a “committed lead performance, effective flashbacks, and a surprisingly moving father-son story.”
What is the Whalefall movie with Josh Brolin about?
Whalefall follows scuba diver Jay Gardiner (played by Abrams), who dives off California’s Central Coast in search of his late father’s remains. However, the dive ends abruptly when a massive sperm whale swallows Gardiner. Still alive, he notes that he has just one hour of oxygen left to keep him alive. The film traces Gardiner’s anxiety and memories of the lessons his father taught him that he uses to plan his escape.
Brian Duffield directed Whalefall, based on a screenplay he and Daniel Kraus wrote. Brian Grazer, Brian Duffield, Jeb Brody, and Allan Mandelbaum produced the film. Doug Merrifield, Richard Abate, and Will Rowbotham serve as executive producers. In addition to Brolin and Abrams, the cast includes Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd.
Whalefall marks Abrams’ first lead role in a film since his last horror hit, Resident Evil. Critics have praised his performance in both movies. Abrams and Brolin also starred in Zach Cregger’s previous film, Resident Evil, and in Cregger’s earlier film, Weapons.
Whalefall releases in theaters on October 16, 2026.
