Whalefall is a 2026 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.
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, Mitt and Zara's youngest child 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, Mitt and Zara's eldest child Emily Rudd as Nan Gardiner, Mitt and Zara's middle child
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.Aaron Morton Scenes were shot at Monterey Peninsula on June 17.
Music Joseph Trapanese composed the score for the film.
Release Whalefall premiered in London on October 5, 2026, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 16, by 20th Century Studios.
It will be screened in Sitges Collection on 14 October 2026 at the 59th Sitges Film Festival, and in the Grand public section of the 21st Rome Film Festival in October 2026.
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