Whalefall

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1:37

Whalefall

PG-13

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1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Adventure

Drama

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Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

186 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

Following the death of his father (Josh Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin 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.

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Critics Consensus

Unforgettably visceral whenever it isn't getting mired in flashbacks, Whalefall's freaky concept requires suspension of disbelief that is rewarded with some of the most unusual set pieces the survival thriller genre has to offer.

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Audience Says

A thrilling story of survival, Whalefall swallows viewers into a physical and emotional endurance test, winding its way through grief, relief, and gratitude.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

1 day ago

I just don't know whether I believe that any of this could actually happen.

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Adam Nayman

Sight & Sound

2 days ago

Mostly, though, Whalefall has a stolid, workmanlike quality that permits more lapses in taste and tone than one might like, including a corny coda that undermines the book’s startling, exhilarating hard stop...

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Oct 19, 2026

3/4

The visual effects are beyond reproach, and Duffield stages a set piece — in which Jay accidentally (stupidly?) gets involved with the whale as it hunts its morning breakfast — with cruel, horrifying tenacity.

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Blake Howard

One Heat Minute

1 hr ago

3/4

The ocean’s vast, indifferent darkness becomes a physical expression of the protagonist’s emotional predicament, and the film’s extraordinary visuals make the experience feel tactile enough to tighten every muscle in your body.

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Jacob Mauceri

InSession Film

1 day ago

If you’ve got some free time and you want a little anxiety-induced adrenaline, this is not a bad way to get that fix.

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Chris Klimek

Washington City Paper

1 day ago

It becomes too clumsy and risible in its final 15 minutes to warrant a full-throated recommendation.

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Austin B

6 hrs ago

meh. a little weird too.

Anjenny

19 hrs ago

Very suspenseful and had me at the edge of my seat.

Allister green

1 day ago

Plot is to understand what life gives and what life takes

Oscar alpha

1 day ago

WHALEFALL (in theaters) is a great "deep" movie.. highly recommend ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wondered about Jonah & the Whale knex, but it’s a deep (non-biblical) story—leaning toward getting the book too.

Linh

1 day ago

interesting plot and surprisingly very educational. I've always been fascinated my sea animals and I felt I like learned a lot lol. wished I could find out more about how the dad passed

AmyRose

1 day ago

It’s alright. He was mostly in the whales’ mouth

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Brian Duffield

Director

Austin Abrams

Jay Gardiner

Josh Brolin

Mitt Gardiner

Elisabeth Shue

Zara Gardiner

John Ortiz

Hewey

Jane Levy

Eva Gardiner

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