Phil Roberts 
Whalefall is a new claustrophobic classic! Brian Duffield has successfully brought Daniel Kraus’ sensational novel to life with infectious energy, nail-biting suspense, and shocking realism.
Being swallowed by an enormous ocean predator is a primal fear that sends shivers down the spine and triggers terror in all of us. Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Peter Benchley’s Jaws captured that fear in chilling detail, and ever since, countless filmmakers have tried to replicate the suspense of his masterwork. Traditionally, these movies have relied on sharks to unleash our deepest oceanic nightmares. But now, director Brian Duffield throws his hat into the ring with his adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ best-selling novel, Whalefall.
The story takes a bold swing by replacing the usual razor-toothed menace with a colossal sperm whale. And rather than rows of razor-sharp, serrated teeth delivering the terror, the real nightmare comes from being trapped inside the whale’s stomach! With the promise of a claustrophobic experience that will leave audiences gasping for air, the film has all the makings of a genuine nerve-shredder. So, can Duffield pull off the unthinkable, etch his name into oceanic movie history, and deliver a thriller worthy of standing alongside the classics? Or is Whalefall destined to sink to the depths?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because Brian Duffield’s Whalefall is a new claustrophobic classic! Austin Abrams continues his epic year with another outstanding performance in this oceanic tale of terror and an estranged family. Paired with a stellar turn from Josh Brolin, the film boasts a poignant storyline and phenomenal CGI that brings its colossal underwater nightmare to life. Sure, it may never reach the dizzying heights of Spielberg’s Jaws, but it’s still a whale of a time!
A BROKEN FAMILY
For anyone keeping score, the plot follows Austin Abrams’ Jay Gardiner, who returns to the family home after his cancer-riddled father, Mitt (played by the phenomenal Josh Brolin), takes his own life by plunging into the ocean depths. Although their relationship was fractured and never healed, Jay decides to dive to the location where his father perished in a bid to bring his remains home. Hoping to find some catharsis by retrieving his father’s body, Jay straps an underwater air tank to his back, giving him just an hour to complete the dive, and descends into the depths to find him.
Unfortunately, Jay’s search leads him to the edge of an underwater abyss that, unbeknownst to him, is a hunting ground for giant sperm whales. Before long, Jay finds himself caught between a whale and its primary food source, a giant squid. The squid’s enormous suction cups latch onto his leg just as the whale strikes, leaving Jay trapped in the crossfire. Suddenly, he finds himself inside the whale’s mouth, powerless as the enormous mammal swallows the squid, its tentacles still firmly attached to his leg! Despite fighting with every fiber of his being, Jay slips down the whale’s throat and wakes up in the first chamber of its enormous stomach.
What follows is a race against time as Jay desperately fights to escape the belly of the beast before his air runs out, all while coming to terms with his father’s tragic demise. With a colossal whale standing between him and survival, Jay’s fight for his life becomes as much an emotional journey as a terrifying battle against nature itself.
A WHALE OF A TIME
With Jay trapped inside the whale’s stomach, Duffield quickly sets the tone for the next hour and a half, crafting an oppressive, restrictive atmosphere that will give the claustrophobics in the audience nightmares for years to come! With the whale’s stomach lining forming the boundaries of Jay’s new prison, the dimly lit environment soon takes on a life of its own. Every movement Jay makes triggers an organic response from the surrounding tissue, which writhes and wriggles in stomach-churning fashion. Pun intended!
His frantic search for an escape route takes him deeper into the belly of the beast and back towards the creature’s blowhole, leaving no stone unturned in his desperate bid for freedom. But each section of the whale’s hulking body presents fresh challenges that take their toll on Jay, both physically and mentally. And as his situation becomes increasingly desperate, he must delve into his memories and draw upon his father’s teachings to find solutions to each new problem that stands between him and survival.
HOT LIQ-SQUID
From surviving a recently swallowed jellyfish and battling the whale’s stomach acid to encountering the still-living squid, the monster’s belly is riddled with obstacles at every turn. Thankfully, Jay finds ways to overcome these challenges through a series of flashbacks to his time with his father, and this is where the film really starts to add meat to the bones of both Jay and Mitt. An hour and a half of watching Jay struggle inside a whale’s stomach simply wouldn’t be enough to keep us engrossed for the full duration, so the plot cleverly weaves in a string of flashbacks that allow us to explore the dynamics of their relationship and uncover the reasons behind their estrangement.
Through these flashbacks, Josh Brolin gets down to business, fleshing out Mitt Gardiner, warts and all, creating a flawed father who will resonate with audiences on many levels. In truth, Mitt is an ordinary dad, trying to equip his son with the tools he needs to survive beyond his protection. But like so many overbearing parents, his approach to fatherhood leaves much to be desired. His intentions may come from a place of love, but his methods often do more harm than good, adding another layer of emotional depth to Jay’s desperate fight for survival.
PERFORMANCES
These sequences give both Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin time to truly flesh out their characters, adding real depth to their personalities and the relationship they share. Abrams, who carries large portions of the film almost entirely on his own, delivers another winning performance and gets to showcase his talents to their full effect. From moments of genuine fear and desperation to a dogged determination to survive, Jay comes to life with energetic zeal, and it’s all down to the brilliance of Austin Abrams.
By now, everyone knows the quality of Josh Brolin, and here he serves up another masterclass as Mitt. Although his screen time is limited, Brolin effortlessly crafts another brilliantly layered character for audiences to connect with. Despite his flaws, Mitt is tough, resilient, and determined to prepare his son for the harsh realities of life, and Brolin’s undeniable talent shines through to deliver a performance brimming with conviction. Additionally, it’s great to see Elisabeth Shue back on the big screen as Jay’s mother, Zara. Sadly, Shue gets even less screen time than Brolin, but she still makes her presence felt, bringing her seasoned talent to the film whenever she appears.
SPECIAL WHALE EFFECTS
It goes without saying that a film of this scale requires some hefty special effects, and I’m pleased to report that Whalefall delivers on its massive scale with some of the most visually stunning effects you’ll see all year! From the beautifully rendered squid and whales to the bioluminescent interior of the whale’s stomach, everything is brought to life in stunning detail, giving the film a remarkable sense of realism. At times, this makes for some seriously uncomfortable viewing, but these gruesome sequences only add to the film’s impact and help bring its terrifying story to life.
Walking hand in hand with these spectacular effects is the wonderful cinematography of Aaron Morton. Morton’s work is on another level here, capturing everything from gorgeous oceanic backdrops to the film’s breathtaking underwater sequences with remarkable skill. The result is a visually arresting experience that bursts into life on the big screen, making Whalefall a film that is every bit as easy on the eye as it is hard on the nerves!
Rounding out the brilliance is Joseph Trapanese’s atmospheric, tension-filled score. The composer’s music is perfectly weighted, adding chilling soundscapes that only deepen the experience. From building suspense to amplifying the claustrophobic terror of Jay’s predicament, Trapanese rises to the challenge beautifully, delivering a score that complements the film perfectly.
DETRACTIONS
Sadly, despite the film’s many successes, Whalefall isn’t perfect. In fact, there are several flaws that prevent it from becoming truly phenomenal. The biggest issue stems from its obsession with Jay’s quest to come to terms with his father’s death. The film goes all out to explore the spiritual side of death and the connection that can endure between a father and son. So much so that once it sets its sights on forging that spiritual link, it rarely looks back, leaving less room for other aspects of the story to take center stage. Sure, these moments offer genuine closure, but after a while, they feel like overkill.
If that isn’t enough, the film’s finale veers into slightly over-the-top and downright unbelievable territory, pushing the boundaries of credibility a little too far. Nevertheless, Duffield deserves some leeway for delivering an otherwise enjoyable underwater romp. Its flaws may prevent it from reaching the heights of greatness, but there’s still plenty here to sink your teeth into!
VERDICT
Overall, Whalefall is a new claustrophobic classic! Brian Duffield has successfully brought Daniel Kraus’ sensational novel to life with infectious energy, nail-biting suspense, and shocking realism. While the storyline tends to lose a little steam as the running time goes on, the brilliant underwater cinematography, atmospheric score, and impressive CGI make for a wild ride in the cinema.
So, book a ticket and get ready to jump off the deep end with Austin Abrams and an enormous sperm whale! While Whalefall might not always hit the high notes, it certainly doesn’t sink to the depths. So sit back, hold your breath, and enjoy the ride!
Whalefall swims into cinemas on October 16
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
