Whalefall

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Whalefall

PG-13

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1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Adventure

Drama

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74%

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191 Reviews

81%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

Following the death of his father (Josh Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) goes diving off the central Coast of California in search of his remains, but is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape.

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Critics Consensus

Unforgettably visceral whenever it isn't getting mired in flashbacks, Whalefall's freaky concept requires suspension of disbelief that is rewarded with some of the most unusual set pieces the survival thriller genre has to offer.

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Audience Says

A thrilling story of survival, Whalefall swallows viewers into a physical and emotional endurance test, winding its way through grief, relief, and gratitude.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

6 days ago

I just don't know whether I believe that any of this could actually happen.

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Adam Nayman

Sight & Sound

Oct 27, 2026

Mostly, though, Whalefall has a stolid, workmanlike quality that permits more lapses in taste and tone than one might like, including a corny coda that undermines the book’s startling, exhilarating hard stop...

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Oct 19, 2026

3/4

The visual effects are beyond reproach, and Duffield stages a set piece — in which Jay accidentally (stupidly?) gets involved with the whale as it hunts its morning breakfast — with cruel, horrifying tenacity.

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Patrick Beatty

See It or Skip It

18 hrs ago

Impressive acting by Austin Abrams, and surprising heart sprinkled through the chaos of being stuck in a whale.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

22 hrs ago

4/5

Duffield delivers another exciting action thriller. Featuring a committed lead performance by Abrams, this is definitely "daddy issues" the movie, but it's so well executed, it's hard to complain about some of the messaging.

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Carlos Gallego

CinemasComics

3 days ago

4/5

Brian Duffield makes a film about a man trapped inside a sperm whale that's as emotionally powerful as it is terrifying. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Dan

1 hr ago

Great storyline a definite must👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

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NA

6 hrs ago

A story of a common human experience in the most unlikely of places.

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Anna

6 hrs ago

Amazing movie !!

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Liv S

1 day ago

Very fun claustrophobic edge of your seat survival thriller, I found the book to be a more effective exploration of the journey through grief

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Brandon W

1 day ago

An emotional story. Really great story. Austin Abrams is incredible.

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Alexa

1 day ago

Such a beautiful movie! A must see for sure.

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Brian Duffield

Director

Austin Abrams

Jay Gardiner

Josh Brolin

Mitt Gardiner

Elisabeth Shue

Zara Gardiner

John Ortiz

Hewey

Jane Levy

Eva Gardiner

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Whalefall: Featurette - Father and Son Story

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Whalefall: Featurette - First Look

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Whalefall: Trailer 2

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Whalefall: Trailer 1

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Whalefall: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Following the death of his father (Josh Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) goes diving off the central Coast of California in search of his remains, but is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape.

Director: Brian Duffield
Producer: Brian Grazer, Brian Duffield, Jeb Brody, Allan Mandelbaum
Screenwriter: Brian Duffield, Daniel Kraus
Distributor: 20th Century Studios
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment, 3 Arts Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Peril|Bloody Images|Thematic Content|Violent Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2026, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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