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Entertainment · October 14, 2026

‘Whalefall’ review: Man gets swallowed alive by a whale in preposterous survival movie

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Released on October 16, 2026, 'Whalefall' is a survival thriller directed by Brian Duffield, adapted from Daniel Kraus's novel. The film stars Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner, a young diver who is accidentally swallowed by a sperm whale while searching for the remains of his father (Josh Brolin) in the ocean. The narrative interweaves Jay’s claustrophobic struggle to escape the whale’s digestive tract with flashbacks detailing his strained, emotionally abusive relationship with his late father. Critical reception has highlighted a disconnect between the film's graphic body-horror elements and its heavy emphasis on paternal trauma, with reviewers often finding the spiritual metaphors and physics-defying survival tactics difficult to reconcile.

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Reported by multiple outlets

  • The movie is directed by Brian Duffield and based on a novel by Daniel Kraus.
  • Austin Abrams stars as Jay, and Josh Brolin plays his father, Mitt.
  • The plot involves a man being swallowed by a sperm whale while scuba diving to find his father's remains.
  • The film uses flashbacks to explore Jay's troubled relationship with his father, who was a diving expert.
  • The movie is rated PG-13 and has a running time of approximately 106 minutes.
  • Jay uses bioluminescent jellyfish for light while inside the whale.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Jay uses an unopened package of steel wool to assist in his escape.
  • The film features other marine life including a giant squid and a pod of orcas.
  • The father, Mitt, died by suicide/jumping overboard after suffering from mesothelioma.
  • Jay's mother is played by Elisabeth Shue.
  • Jay attempts to escape when the whale surfaces and he hears a tour boat.

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