The survival thriller, directed by Brian Duffield, hits theaters on Oct. 16.
Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner in 20th Century Studios’ Whalefall.
Jennifer Clasen/20th Century Studios
The first reactions to Brian Duffield‘s survival thriller feature Whalefall have hit social media, and it appears that lead actor Austin Abrams‘ banner year continues, even though the characters he plays continue to suffer in more elaborate and awful ways.
20th Century Studios held screenings for Whalefall over the last week including a gala screening in London. Full critics reviews for the film are embargoed till Oct. 14, with Whalefall hitting theaters on Oct. 16.
Fresh off getting his s*** getting wrecked in Resident Evil, Abrams plays another everyman having the worst day ever in Whalefall. The synopsis for the film reads: 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.
As well as Abrams and Brolin, the cast includes, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd. Duffield wrote the script with Daniel Kraus, based on Kraus’ 2023 novel of the same name.
Duffield’s previous directorial efforts include the acclaimed 2023 sci-fi horror film No One Will Save You (that was criminally released straight to Hulu) and the 2020 black comedy coming-of-age film Spontaneous. He also wrote Jane Got a Gun (2015), Underwater (2020) and Love and Monsters (2020).
See the early reaction to Whalefall below.
Genuinely didn’t know what to expect from #Whalefall but I had a hell of a time watching this! Austin Abrams trying to escape the gut of a sperm whale was more stressful than I thought it could be.
See this on a large format like RPX for the full experience! pic.twitter.com/Y1g7UPFox4
— Adam Hlaváč (@adamhlavac) September 30, 2026
austin abrams’ back must be ACHING this month. after carrying resident evil (2026) mostly solo, he carries another thriller #Whalefall playing as a guy trapped inside the stomach of a whale
this film is tense, disgusting, and disney somehow manage to make it work pic.twitter.com/pbtrnkziGK
— Zac ⚡️ (@zachaniffx) September 30, 2026
Brian Duffield’s #Whalefall is a blast, and it firmly cements Austin Abrams as one of fall’s most exciting rising stars. This is a film that goes well beyond the gimmick of having a guy stuck inside a whale, as Duffield smartly keeps those moments evolving and escalating in… pic.twitter.com/DAIAynvqQA
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 30, 2026
WHALEFALL is an intense rollercoaster of a survival thriller, with an incredible performance once again by Austin Abrams. The film is at its best when putting you in claustrophobic, bone crunching scenarios that will have you wincing at the screen. However at times takes itself a… pic.twitter.com/2KKsuvpu2B
— DawsOn… (@DawsBear) October 1, 2026
Brian Duffield’s #Whalefall is a new claustrophobic classic. Austin Abrams shines in this oceanic estranged family flick.
Coupled with a stellar performance by Josh Brolin, the film boasts a poignant storyline and phenomenal CGI effects. It’s whale of a time! @20thCenturyUK pic.twitter.com/vkZ2u4tIHh
— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 5, 2026
Whalefall: Part sentimental (ridiculously so at times), part cruelly devastating, but the weight and authenticity of its drama and the clarity of its action never quite lives up to its insane survival thriller premise. There’s a whole school of Ad Astra out there. pic.twitter.com/8NMfwbggDt
— ash @ lff (@yourbuddyash) October 6, 2026
Austin Abrams, whom I love like my son, gets himself in increasingly horrific situations in the insanely stressful #Whalefall All goes a bit mystic whale at the end but I dug it. Not sure anyone would have bet on Abrams being Hollywood’s next biggest star but he’s magnetic pic.twitter.com/pbroTBh5x2
— Naomi (@khaleesi_101) October 5, 2026
Like a messed up Inner Space, #Whalefall is guts, slime, and a terrific time. More than just a man-in-a-whale movie though, the entire thing is buoyed by an emotional core that’ll make you blubber. Abrams and Brolin are great, while Duffield shoots the hell out of it. pic.twitter.com/6Zr8Cg9M92
— Matt Rodgers (@MainstreamMatt) October 5, 2026
Fell down the majestic gullet of @BrianDuffield ‘s #Whalefall this evening. What an insane ride. I don’t think my knees stopped shaking the entire time. A gigantic, terrifying and emotional spectacle. What movies are made for. Go immerse yourself in it! pic.twitter.com/Hh4n79ssGr
— Rachael Prior (@OrachaelO) October 5, 2026
#whalefall Men will literally get eaten by a whale instead of going to therapy. Whenever it’s focused on Austin Abrams going through the horrors, it is a fantastically entertaining film. But the boilerplate father-son trauma plot is a slog, and the ending is absurd (derogatory)
— Bethan Ackerley 🇵🇸 (@inkerley) October 5, 2026
#whalefall was enjoyable! At its best when Austin Abrams is on screen with killer sound design. Definitely one to catch on the big screen
— Caden Harvey (@Cadenlukaharvey) October 5, 2026
I wanted to like #Whalefall more—the set pieces are nerve-shredding—but the film goes way too over-sentimental by the end.
Still worth watching on the big screen for the incredible sound design and another winning Austin Abrams performance. pic.twitter.com/6tuRlvjIu1
— Gavin Spoors 🇵🇸 @ LFF (@supergavigator) October 5, 2026
Been a very long time since I attended one of these events, life has gotten in the way! Had an absolute blast watching #whalefall though, wholesome, heartfelt and such a WILD ride. Wow. pic.twitter.com/NDPSqlIz0N
— Nate, or, Mr H Reviews (@MrHreviews) October 5, 2026
whalefall: mixed overall (whale stuff, terrifying, stressful; father-son stuff, saccharine) – but austin abrams’ ability to convey fear, when his performance should ostensibly be inhibited by goggles and a breathing apparatus, is stunning work
— iana murray (@ianamurray) October 5, 2026
WHALEFALL: the most inexplicably boring movie of 2026? Half dimly lit survival thriller where you can’t distinguish a single fucking action sequence, half tiresome daddy issues drama with flat characterisation/performances, all parts patience testing
— Alistair’s Great Tweets (@YesitsAlistair) October 5, 2026
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