New ‘Whalefall’ Clip Features Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin Ahead of Film Release Date

Tena Milakovic
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This fall, few films have sparked as many internet memes as ‘Whalefall’. The intriguing premise of a man being swallowed alive by a sperm whale has inspired a wave of online humor, and the latest clip from ‘Whalefall’ offers fans another glimpse into what the film has to offer.

The survival thriller, produced by 20th Century Studios and Imagine Entertainment, is based on Daniel Kraus’ acclaimed 2023 novel. Marketing has likened it to ‘The Martian’ meets ‘127 Hours’, a fitting description for a film centered on one man’s battle against the odds.

With the film set to release in just over two weeks, a new clip has surfaced. Shared via Fandango, the 1-minute-2-second video showcases Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin aboard a boat, just as the film prepares for its theatrical debut on October 16.

In the clip, Abrams is seen in the boat’s wheelhouse, wearing a gray hoodie and cap, while Brolin, sporting a gray beard and maroon cap, steers the vessel, gazing out at the vast ocean.

This scene highlights the father-son dynamic central to the film. Brolin’s character, Mitt, is the father of Jay, played by Abrams, and flashbacks of their relationship unfold throughout Jay’s struggle for survival inside the whale.

The official synopsis reveals that Jay Gardiner, portrayed by Abrams, dives off the central coast of California in search of his father’s remains after his death. Instead, he finds himself swallowed by a massive sperm whale, trapped within its belly with only an hour of oxygen remaining.

The whale is described as being 80 feet long and weighing 60 tons. Jay soon realizes that the valuable lessons his father taught him may hold the key to his escape.

This film marks the third collaboration between Abrams and Brolin, following Abrams’ minor role in ‘Gangster Squad’ and their more substantial partnership in ‘Weapons’.

Abrams has been quite active lately, also starring in Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’, which premiered on September 18, just weeks before ‘Whalefall’. He has kept details about his preparation under wraps, but a behind-the-scenes video revealed that he swam with sperm whales to get ready for his role.

Since much of the film relies on Abrams’ performance, director Brian Duffield aims to immerse audiences in Jay’s experience, making them feel trapped alongside him rather than frequently cutting away.

The cast also includes Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd. Duffield directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kraus, with Brian Grazer, Duffield, Jeb Brody, and Allan Mandelbaum producing for Imagine Entertainment.

Executive producers include Doug Merrifield, Richard Abate, and Will Rowbotham. The film was filmed in Monterey, California.

Duffield is known for writing ‘No One Will Save You’ and ‘Spontaneous’, and producing ‘Cocaine Bear’. Kraus, whose novel ‘Angel Down’ won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, also co-wrote the script, ensuring the adaptation remains true to the source material.

The novel was recognized on The New York Times’ list of the best thrillers of 2023. Imagine secured the rights before the book’s publication, and 20th Century Studios later won a bidding war for distribution in March 2024.

‘Whalefall’ is set to open exclusively in theaters on October 16, a busy release date that also features ‘Sense and Sensibility’, ‘Street Fighter’, and ‘Crawlers’, among 25 films. The UK’s BBFC has classified the film with a 15 certificate.

The latest trailer, released in early September, provided a longer look at Jay inside the whale, and the meme-worthy premise has kept the film buzzing online ever since.

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