Whalefall film explores survival and family grief

The film Whalefall, based on the 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, follows scuba diver Jay Gardiner, played by Austin Abrams, as he is swallowed by a sperm whale while searching for the remains of his father, Mitt.

Directed by Brian Duffield, the story utilizes flashbacks to explore the complicated relationship between Jay and his father, portrayed by Josh Brolin. The narrative functions as a survival thriller, focusing on Jay’s attempts to escape the whale with limited oxygen, while simultaneously addressing themes of grief and ecological imbalance.