20th Century Studios Debuts Whalefall Trailer: Diver Swallowed by 60-Ton Sperm Whale
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19.08.2026 23:46
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2 min read
20th Century Studios has released the trailer for the survival thriller Whalefall. The film stars Austin Abrams as a diver who finds himself inside a living sperm whale with only an hour of oxygen left in his tank.
The story unfolds off the coast of California, where a young diver, Jay Gardiner, searches for the remains of his deceased father. During the dive, the protagonist encounters a giant squid, and then both are swallowed by a hunting 24-meter sperm whale weighing around 60 tons.
Fighting for Life in a Confined Space
Trapped in total darkness inside the mammal’s digestive tract, the diver races against time. He must find a way out before the air runs out or his stomach acid dissolves him.
According to Variety, the filmmakers describe the movie as a psychological thriller in the vein of “127 Hours” and “Buried.” The fight for survival is constantly intertwined with the hero’s memories of his father and his advice.
Creative Team and Cast
The director’s chair went to Brian Duffield, who helmed the sci-fi thriller “No One Will Save You.” The screenplay was co-written with Daniel Kraus, author of the 2023 bestseller of the same name.
Josh Brolin plays the deceased father. The cast also includes Elizabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd.
As noted by Fangoria, the film heavily employs techniques of claustrophobia and the primal fear of ocean depths (thalassophobia).
In the ocean, predators have all the advantages.
— 20th Century Studios (@20thcentury) August 19, 2026
Watch the new trailer for #Whalefall and experience the unthinkable only in theaters October 16. pic.twitter.com/ZIU1ROK9tt
The world premiere of Whalefall in theaters is set for October 16, 2026.
