Netflix thriller “The Whisperer” draws millions despite critical flaws

The Netflix psychological thriller “The Whisperer”, directed by James Ashcroft and based on the bestseller by Alex North, has attracted millions of viewers but received mixed critical reception regarding its execution.

The plot follows Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott), a widowed crime novelist who moves to a new town with his son, Jake. When the boy is kidnapped, Kennedy seeks help from his estranged father, retired policeman Peter Willis (Robert De Niro), and investigates connections to a criminal named Frank Carter (Michael Keaton).

Critics note that while the film benefits from a high-caliber cast—specifically highlighting the performances of De Niro and Keaton—it suffers from pacing issues and a reliance on tired cinematic clichés. Some reviews describe the initial exposition as tedious and compare the narrative structure to existing films like “Prisoners,” suggesting the production fails to reach its full potential despite its intriguing premise.