**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“It’s what I came back for…”
Whalefall released in theaters on October 16th 2026. The survival thriller film (based on the novel of the same name) stars Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Jane Levy, Emily Rudd, Elisabeth Shue, and John Ortiz. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.
Following the death of his father, Jay returns home to California and decides to dive off the coast in search of his remains. After getting swallowed by a whale, he must figure out a way to escape and survive before his oxygen runs out.
Here is the trailer:
Whalefall is a thrilling watch packed with well thought out layers that balance out the story in a compelling way. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Edge-of-your-seat intensity.
My heart was racing during this film. It was so tense and claustrophobic. If that’s not your thing, be warned about that. I powered through my own issues with it and absorbed it all on the big screen, which was such an experience!
This film was utterly terrifying and so many moments made me so uncomfortable, but I was wide awake watching this one and rooting for Jay the entire time to figure out a way out of an impossible situation.
So emotional and absorbing.
I knew that this movie would be an intense trip from the trailer, but I wasn’t expecting to connect with it as much as I did. A lot of that had to do with the well placed layers and memories between Jay and his father. They triggered some of my own memories as well and a lot of scenes hit very close to home.
I thought the scenes transitioned back and forth in such a seamless and necessary way. This wasn’t just a film about survival. It was also about coping with grief and discovering who you really are. I left the theater in tears and I’ve still been thinking about it. It really had such a powerful effect on me.
The Cons:
I don’t have any.
No notes. This film was as perfect as one could be.
So am I in or out?
I’m in 100 percent!!!
(5 out of 5 stars)
WHALEFALL is a ferocious, terrifying, and touching watch with outstanding performances. This film had such a profound effect on me, stirring up so many feelings at once. One of my favorite films of 2026!
I truly hope more people go to see this in the theater.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on WHALEFALL in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
Girl Number Thirteen is available here!
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