Overview
- 20th Century Studios rolled out a third full trailer on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, that gives the clearest look yet at the film’s interior-whale sequences and a squid encounter.
- The film follows diver Jay Gardiner, played by Austin Abrams, who is swallowed by an 80-foot sperm whale and has roughly one hour of oxygen to try to escape.
- Director Brian Duffield co-wrote the screenplay with author Daniel Kraus and says the story is unusually contained, estimating the movie is about 95% centered on Abrams’ performance.
- Production relied heavily on practical effects, including large animatronic whale builds and on-set water work, and Duffield says Abrams performed nearly all of his own stunts.
- Whalefall is produced with Imagine Entertainment attached, has not yet played festivals or received reviews, and opens exclusively in U.S. theaters on October 16, 2026, leaving box-office and critical prospects untested.