‘Whalefall’ First Reactions Are In: Austin Abrams’ Survival Thriller Impresses

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
Whalefall film
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Austin Abrams has spent the last year showcasing his ability to lead a film through various forms of adversity. The actor has established himself as a modern scream king, consistently finding himself at the heart of some of the most intense narratives on screen.

His latest project might be his most extreme yet. ‘Whalefall‘, the adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel by 20th Century Studios, places Abrams inside the stomach of a sperm whale, facing a dwindling oxygen supply and no clear escape route.

The first wave of reactions has hit social media, and early impressions indicate that Brian Duffield’s survival thriller truly delivers. Viewers are dubbing it a new claustrophobic classic, with many expressing enjoyment despite initial uncertainty, describing it as an intense, rollercoaster-like experience driven by Abrams’ performance.

These reactions follow a series of screenings held by 20th Century Studios over the past week, including a gala event in London. Full critic reviews are under embargo until October 14, just ahead of the film’s theatrical release on October 16.

Much of the praise has focused on Abrams’ portrayal of diver Jay Gardiner and the nail-biting tension during the whale sequences. One viewer likened the film to a twisted version of ‘Inner Space’, while another remarked that it solidifies Abrams as one of the most promising rising stars this fall. The sound design has also received accolades, with some suggesting that it’s worth experiencing on the big screen.

Josh Brolin has also been commended for his role as the father at the center of the narrative, and Duffield’s direction has garnered its share of applause. One viewer noted that the filmmaker “shoots the hell out of it,” indicating that the visual aspects of the film are resonating well.

However, the reactions are not entirely unanimous. Some viewers found the ending overly sentimental, while others noted that the story takes on a mystical quality in its final act, though they still enjoyed it. A few mentioned that the whale sequences were more intense than anticipated, which, in the context of a survival thriller, is more of a compliment than a critique.

This division highlights the film’s thematic focus. The intertwining of survival mechanics and the father-son narrative means that viewers who connect with one aspect often engage with the other, while those who prefer pure tension may find the emotional elements less significant.

Jay dives off California’s central coast following his father’s death and is swallowed by a massive sperm whale, leaving him with just an hour of oxygen. Brolin plays the deceased father, whose life lessons become crucial to Jay’s escape. The cast also features Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd.

Duffield co-wrote the script with Kraus, whose novel was recognized on the New York Times’ list of the best thrillers of 2023. The director is known for previous works like ‘No One Will Save You’ and ‘Spontaneous’, and has also written for ‘Underwater’ and ‘Love and Monsters’.

Duffield has mentioned that the film was crafted around Abrams. He told TheWrap that the movie is “95% Austin Abrams just putting himself in really insane situations.” He aimed for audiences to feel trapped inside the whale alongside the character, opting for minimal flashy camera work to keep the focus on the performance.

He also expressed pride in the film being shot in Los Angeles, a goal he had even before the wildfires in the area.

With reviews set to release on October 14 and the film debuting just two days later, the upcoming week will reveal whether the early excitement stands up to a broader critical audience. For now, the buzz indicates that Abrams’ string of challenging roles has found yet another compelling platform.

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