Whalefall

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Whalefall

PG-13

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1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Adventure

Drama

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Popcornmeter

73%

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188 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)

2 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

3 days ago

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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Rob Dean

Bullz-Eye.com

6 hrs ago

4/5

With "Whalefall" it’s very much more the journey than the destination, and Duffield and company wisely make that journey an enthralling ordeal narratively, visually, and emotionally to fully engage with the audience.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

1 day ago

2.5/4

...an erratically-paced endeavor that gets off to a low-key start with nary a single clue as to where the narrative’s going...

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Blake Howard

One Heat Minute

1 day ago

3/4

The ocean’s vast, indifferent darkness becomes a physical expression of the protagonist’s emotional predicament, and the film’s extraordinary visuals make the experience feel tactile enough to tighten every muscle in your body.

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Geneva M

16 hrs ago

10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND !!!!

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David R

18 hrs ago

The film delivers on the promise of its trailer, offering a satisfying experience that lives up to expectations. It tackles the complicated relationship between father and son with an emotional honesty I could both understand and feel. The ending brings the story to a satisfying close.

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Rocky

1 day ago

Was a lot more emotional than the trailer depicts, definitely worth the watch imo

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Nestor U

1 day ago

I meed a part 2 it was very gooooood

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Ernesto M

1 day ago

Outstanding movie 🍿 reccomend it

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nicholas

1 day ago

Really good film only a couple of misses mostly the beginning the friend didn’t sell the suicide enough for me. But great underrated cinematic shots and sound effects. Overall really good just misses on being a great film

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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): $7.8M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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