A New Thrill: Josh Brolin in Whalefall
The latest trailer for the survival thriller Whalefall showcases a gripping turn of events for Josh Brolin’s character. This film, adapted from Daniel Kraus’s 2023 novel of the same name, who also co-authored the script with director Brian Duffield, portrays a gripping narrative of survival. Josh Brolin plays the character Mitt Gardiner, whose son, portrayed by Austin Abrams, dives into the oceanic depths to recover his father’s remains but ends up being swallowed by a sperm whale. The film is brought to audiences by 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of Disney.
A recently released trailer for Whalefall commences with a serene oceanic view, with Mitt holding his baby son, talking about equipping him for his future dreams. It transitions to reveal a grown Jay, played by Austin Abrams, donned in scuba gear alongside his father, hinting at underlying familial tensions before Jay’s dive beneath the waves. The trailer intensifies as Jay hears the eerie clicks of a sperm whale and, despite his struggles, gets consumed by the massive creature. The trailer is available for viewing below:
While the trailer highlights Jay’s relationship with his father and his daunting encounter inside the whale, it leaves out several other characters. The film’s ensemble cast includes notable names such as Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd. The production of the movie is helmed by Brian Duffield along with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and his production partner Brian Grazer.
Austin Abrams, who takes the lead in Whalefall, rose to fame notably in 2025 following his role as James in Zach Cregger’s Weapons. Abrams’s career includes roles in Paper Towns, The Walking Dead, The Americans, This Is Us, Euphoria, and The Line, the latter earning him a Rising Star Award at the 2024 Sarasota Film Festival.
Josh Brolin, also featured in Weapons as Archer, has a less central role in Whalefall compared to Abrams. Brolin is well-known for his performances in The Goonies as Brand, Llewelyn Moss in No Country for Old Men, the iconic Thanos across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Gurney Halleck in both Dune and Dune: Part Two, and Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Whalefall is set to hit theaters on October 16, promising to deliver a compelling survival tale on the big screen. This premiere follows the August release of Brolin’s other project, Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars. Additionally, Brolin confirms a minor role as Gurney in Dune: Part Three, scheduled for release on December 18.
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.
