Whalefall: A Mixed Reception for Abrams' Underwater Survival Thriller

Key points

• The film is based on Daniel Kraus's 2023 novel and directed by Brian Duffield.
• Austin Abrams plays Jay Gardiner, who is swallowed by a whale while searching for his father's body.
• Josh Brolin portrays Jay's deceased father, Mitt, in flashbacks.
• The movie has a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64/100 score on Metacritic.
• It is a 20th Century Studios release with a PG-13 rating and a 105-minute runtime.

Background

Austin Abrams recently starred in the horror hit 'Resident Evil,' where he also faced a creature with tentacles. 'Whalefall' is his second major release in a month involving similar physical struggles. The film adapts a bestseller that received significant acclaim, contrasting with the mixed critical reception of the movie adaptation.

How outlets are covering it

Variety's Owen Gleiberman was highly critical, calling the film 'unintentionally preposterous' and comparing it unfavorably to 'Howard the Duck.' He argued that the visual effects were merely 'okay' and that the father-son dynamic felt forced. In contrast, IndieWire's Alison Foreman praised the 'exceptional' underwater body horror and Abrams' performance, though she noted the film's pacing issues. Dark Horizons highlighted the mixed but generally positive aggregate scores, noting that many reviewers appreciated the film's commitment to its absurd premise. Some critics, like Liz Shannon Miller, called it the best movie about being swallowed by a whale, while others, like David Rooney, found it 'eye-rollingly dumb.'

Why it matters

The film tests the viability of adapting a best-selling novel into a high-concept thriller. Its mixed reception highlights the challenges of balancing visceral spectacle with emotional depth, particularly when the source material is heavily acclaimed. The performance of Austin Abrams and the visual effects are central to the film's identity, influencing how audiences and critics perceive the genre.

What to watch

The film is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 16, 2026. Box office performance will be a key indicator of its commercial success, especially given the mixed critical reception. The film's release coincides with other wide releases, including 'Street Fighter,' which may impact its market share.