Movies
Austin Abrams’ Whalefall is getting attention from moviegoers after its theatrical release. Viewers have praised its underwater visuals, music, and cinematography. However, one thing viewers can’t stop talking about is how its emotional impact made them cry throughout the film.
X user @zombiisyd wrote, “Scored an empty movie theater to watch #Whalefall and thank god because I was crying from the moment Jay gets in the water. What an amazing movie. Austin, you will always be famous in my house.”
Another viewer, @potter_223, gave the film four out of five stars and said, “Beautiful beautiful beautiful movie. The visuals, music, and especially cinematography in the last 40ish minutes were amazing. The whale sounds were so crisp, the deep-sea visuals were so f–king gorgeous. Teared up 2-3 times.” @SWIFTIN0F wrote, “I cried about four times. Best movie I’ve seen all year. Everyone do yourselves a favour and go see Whalefall.”
What is Whalefall about?
Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall is based on Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel. Austin Abrams plays Jay Gardiner, a diver searching for his late father’s remains off California’s Central Coast. His search takes a frightening turn when a sperm whale swallows him.
Jay has only an hour of oxygen left to escape the whale. As he fights to survive, he also thinks about his troubled relationship with his father, Mitt, played by Josh Brolin. The film combines an underwater survival story with a family drama about grief and regret.
Abrams prepared for the role by scuba diving with whale documentarian Patrick Dykstra at a sperm whale sanctuary near Dominica. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I was surprised at how much time I actually got to spend with them. They hadn’t seen any sperm whales in the previous nine days, so I was lucky that both days I was there, they showed up and let me observe them. It was almost like being with an alien…very surreal.”
The cast also includes Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd. Whalefall currently holds a 71% critics’ score and an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film opened in theaters on October 16, 2026.