Whalefall film review: Austin Abrams stars in survival drama

The film “Whalefall,” directed by Brian Duffield and adapted from Daniel Kraus’s novel, follows Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams), a young diver searching for the remains of his father, Mitt (Josh Brolin), off the coast of Monterey, California.

During his search, Jay is swallowed by a sperm whale. The narrative focuses on his struggle to survive within the creature using limited oxygen while navigating a hostile environment. The film utilizes a non-linear structure, integrating flashbacks of Jay’s strained relationship with his father to provide emotional context for his survival decisions.

Critical reception highlights Austin Abrams’s physical performance in a claustrophobic setting, though some reviews note that the film’s attempt at emotional depth occasionally lapses into excessive sentimentality.