Whalefall: Critics split on Abrams' claustrophobic survival thriller

Key points

• Whalefall releases in theaters on October 16, 2026, distributed by Disney and produced by 20th Century Studios and Imagine Entertainment.
• The film stars Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner, a college student who becomes trapped in the stomach of a sperm whale after a scuba diving accident involving a giant squid.
• Josh Brolin plays Jay's deceased father, Mitt, a former diving legend whose death drives the film's emotional arc; Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd also star.
• Director Brian Duffield co-wrote the script with Daniel Kraus, based on Kraus's novel, following his previous claustrophobic thriller No One Will Save You.
• The film is rated PG-13, runs 1 hour and 46 minutes, and features a score by Joseph Trapanese and visual effects by Guillaume Rocheron.
• Critics note the film's premise is biologically implausible, as sperm whales cannot swallow humans, but praise the visual effects and Abrams' performance in the confined setting.

Background

Josh Brolin is currently in development for Sicario 3, a long-delayed sequel to the 2015 and 2018 films, alongside Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro. This project, stalled by the 2023 writers' strike, is expected to begin production in early 2027. Brolin's recent filmography includes the 2026 release of Whalefall, which marks his return to a survival thriller format after his work in No One Will Save You, a 2022 film directed by Brian Duffield.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney criticizes Whalefall as a 'dumb underwater survival thriller' that takes itself too seriously, noting that the emotional subplot involving Brolin's character feels 'soggy' and overwrought. Rooney argues that the film's visual effects, while slick, fail to convey the architecture of the whale's interior, making action sequences confusing. In contrast, the Financial Times' Danny Leigh offers a more balanced review, praising Abrams' performance and the visual detail of the whale's interior, but criticizing the 'soggy metaphors' and 'large acting' by Brolin in the emotional subplot. Leigh rates the film three out of five stars, acknowledging its strengths in visual effects and Abrams' performance while noting the film's weaknesses in its emotional narrative. Consequence of Sound highlights Brolin's personal connection to the film, noting that he is only in one of the 74 movies on his favorite list, which includes many 1970s films, suggesting a personal preference for older cinema over contemporary thrillers.

Why it matters

Whalefall's release marks a significant moment for Disney's 20th Century Studios, as it represents a high-budget, star-studded survival thriller in a genre that has seen limited success in recent years. The film's mixed critical reception highlights the challenges of blending visual spectacle with emotional narrative in a way that satisfies both audiences and critics. Additionally, the film's release coincides with the development of Sicario 3, a project that has been in limbo for years, suggesting a shift in the studio's strategy for high-profile, star-driven films. The film's performance at the box office will likely influence the studio's future decisions on similar projects, particularly those involving survival or thriller genres.

What to watch

Whalefall will be available in theaters starting October 16, 2026. The film's box office performance will be closely monitored, as it will likely influence the studio's future decisions on similar projects. Additionally, the development of Sicario 3, which has been in limbo for years, is expected to begin production in early 2027, with Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin confirmed to return. The film's critical reception will also be a factor in the studio's future decisions on similar projects, particularly those involving survival or thriller genres.