Don’t worry. The scenario that plays out in Whalefall isn’t going to happen; sperm whales do not go around accidentally scooping up humans and swallowing them whole. That knowledge makes watching the trailer slightly less chilling.
Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd star in the underwater survival thriller, based on Daniel Kraus’ bestseller. Kraus co-wrote the screenplay with director Brian Duffield.
“To bring Daniel Kraus’ book to life, our cast and crew spent a summer inside a whale inside a sound stage in Studio City, California,” stated Duffield. “I can’t wait for audiences to see the performances and hard work everyone put in to tell this thrilling and emotional story in a dark, cozy theater this October.”
20th Century Studios and Imagine Entertainment are releasing the thriller on October 16, 2026, just in time for Halloween.
The synopsis reads: “Following the death of his father (Brolin), Jay Gardiner (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.”
Brian Grazer, Brian Duffield, Jeb Brody, and Allan Mandelbaum serve as producers. Executive producers include Doug Merrifield, Richard Abate, and Will Rowbotham.