Robert De Niro’s The Whisper Man has achieved remarkable success on streaming platforms. De Niro, a versatile actor known for his roles across various genres, often returns to the crime thriller scene where he has consistently enjoyed great success. His notable performances in classics like Heat, Taxi Driver, The Godfather Part II, and Goodfellas have seen collaborations with industry giants such as directors Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Mann, and actors like Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Leonardo DiCaprio. These roles have firmly established De Niro as a leading figure in the crime thriller genre.
De Niro’s significant presence in the genre makes him an ideal candidate for major roles in Netflix’s extensive collection of movies. The streaming giant continues to captivate audiences with its ongoing release of crime thrillers. In 2026, Netflix introduced two new series, His & Hers and I Will Find You, both of which quickly climbed into the Netflix all-time TV show Top 10. Prior to these releases, De Niro had collaborated with Scorsese and other notable talents on The Irishman for Netflix. Recently, Netflix announced that The Whisper Man premiered to an impressive 23.2 million views, making it the second most-watched movie on the platform.
The Whisper Man Premieres to Massive Viewership
Netflix reports that The Whisper Man was only surpassed by Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look, which garnered 31.1 million views due to the high anticipation following a 13-year wait for a new GTA game from Rockstar Games. This game-related feature secured the #1 spot in 87 out of the 93 countries tracked by Netflix. Released on Friday, August 28, The Whisper Man, starring De Niro, drew a considerable audience during its opening weekend on Netflix.
Alongside De Niro, The Whisper Man features a stellar cast including Adam Scott from Severance, Michelle Monaghan of The White Lotus fame, Hamish Linklater from Batman: Caped Crusader, and Michael Keaton, a veteran of the Batman franchise. The combined star power, the general popularity of crime thrillers on Netflix, and the film’s gripping narrative about a widower whose son is kidnapped in a case linked to a serial killer his father once helped to capture, have all contributed to the film’s streaming triumph. However, the reception to this Netflix crime thriller has been mixed.
Mixed Reactions for The Whisper Man Despite High Viewership
While The Whisper Man is currently one of the most-watched films on Netflix in the United States, it has received a lukewarm response from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a critical rating of just 48% based on 58 reviews, and an even lower audience score of 42%. Despite its strong initial viewership, the film’s divisive reception could potentially affect its long-term performance and standing among Netflix’s offerings.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
