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Whalefall is an upcoming American survival thriller film directed and produced by Brian Duffield, based on the 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, who co-wrote the script with Duffield. The film follows a scuba diver (Austin Abrams) who, while searching for the remains of his father (Josh Brolin), is swallowed alive by a sperm whale and attempts to escape. Elisabeth Shue also stars in a supporting role.
Whalefall is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States by 20th Century Studios on October 16, 2026.
Contents
Premise
A scuba diver searching for his father's remains in the ocean is swallowed by a sperm whale, leaving him an hour to find a way to escape.
Cast
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner
Josh Brolin as Mitt Gardiner, Jay's father
Elisabeth Shue as Zara Gardiner, Jay's mother
John Ortiz as Hewey
Jane Levy as Eva Gardiner, one of Jay's two sisters
Emily Rudd as Nan Gardiner, one of Jay's two sisters
Production
In August 2023, just before the book's publication, Imagine Entertainment announced that it had struck a pre-emptive film rights deal for Whalefall. In March 2024, 20th Century Studios won a bidding war for distribution for Daniel Kraus' novel and set Brian Duffield as director and co-writer. The following year, Austin Abrams was cast as the lead, with Josh Brolin entering negotiations to join. Brolin would be confirmed by June, with Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd also added to the cast.
Production was granted a tax credit to film in California, with principal photography beginning in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Aaron Morton serves as cinematographer, having previously collaborated with Duffield on No One Will Save You and Spontaneous. Scenes were shot at Monterey Peninsula on June 17.
Music
Joseph Trapanese compose the score for the film.
Release
Whalefall is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 16, 2026, by 20th Century Studios.