Meet the Cast of ‘Whalefall’ with Pictures

Directed by Brian Duffield and based on the 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, ‘Whalefall’ is a gripping survival thriller that follows a young scuba diver named Jay Gardiner. While searching for his deceased father’s remains off the California coast, Jay finds himself swallowed by an eighty-foot sperm whale, leaving him with just about an hour of oxygen to devise an escape plan. The film showcases a talented ensemble cast that brings the Gardiner family and their close-knit community to life, delving into themes of grief, survival, and familial legacy.

Austin Abrams

Austin Abrams takes on the role of Jay Gardiner, the young scuba diver on a quest to find his late father’s remains. During his dive, Jay is swallowed by an eighty-foot sperm whale and must use his remaining hour of oxygen to escape. Abrams is recognized for his roles as Ethan Lewis in ‘Euphoria’, Dash in ‘Dash & Lily’, and Ron Anderson in ‘The Walking Dead’. His filmography includes ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Chemical Hearts’, ‘Do Revenge’, and ‘Wolfs’. In ‘Whalefall’, he primarily portrays Jay’s intense struggle for survival inside the whale while reflecting on his upbringing.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin plays Mitt Gardiner, Jay’s estranged father whose death triggers the film’s events. Mitt was a skilled diver who chose to end his life in the Pacific Ocean after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Brolin received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Milk’. He has appeared in major films, including portraying Thanos in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Llewelyn Moss in ‘No Country for Old Men’, and Gurney Halleck in ‘Dune’. In ‘Whalefall’, Mitt appears in flashbacks as Jay recalls the survival lessons imparted by his father.

Elisabeth Shue

Elisabeth Shue portrays Zara Gardiner, Jay’s mother and Mitt Gardiner’s widow. Her character navigates the emotional turmoil and practical challenges that arise following her husband’s death. Shue was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’. Her extensive career includes roles in ‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Adventures in Babysitting’, and ‘Back to the Future Part II’, as well as the series ‘The Boys’.

John Ortiz

John Ortiz plays Hewey, a retired dentist and longtime friend of Mitt Gardiner. Hewey supports Jay and provides insights into Mitt’s final days and his connection to the sea. Ortiz is known for his role as Arturo Braga in ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Fast & Furious 6’, along with performances in ‘Carlito’s Way’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Ad Astra’, and ‘American Fiction’.

Jane Levy

Jane Levy stars as Eva Gardiner, Mitt and Zara’s eldest daughter and Jay’s older sister. Eva strives to keep the family united while dealing with the anger and unanswered questions stemming from her father’s death. Levy first gained attention for her role as Tessa Altman in the ABC comedy series ‘Suburgatory’. She later starred in horror films ‘Evil Dead’ and ‘Don’t Breathe’, and received a Golden Globe nomination for ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’.

Emily Rudd

Emily Rudd plays Nan Gardiner, the middle daughter of the Gardiner family and sister to Jay and Eva. Her character shares in the family’s grief as they cope with the sudden loss of their father. Rudd gained recognition for her portrayal of Nami in the live-action adaptation of ‘One Piece’. She also starred as Cindy Berman in the horror films ‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’ and ‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’, and appeared in the romantic sci-fi film ‘Moonshot’.

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