Sitting in cinemas reviewing films and interviewing movie stars for nearly 30 years, I've seen my fair share of intense movies, but nothing could have prepared me for Brian Duffield’s latest cinematic ride, Whalefall. Based on the massively successful 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, which won the 2024 Alex Award, was named one of the New York Times Best Thrillers of 2023, and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, the film threw me right into the belly of the beast. Literally!
I had the absolute pleasure, and genuine pain, of experiencing this survival thriller in 4DX. For the uninitiated, 4DX technology means you don't just watch a movie; you physically endure it. Your seat bucks and rolls to match the on-screen motion, wind blasts through the theatre, and water sprays in your face. It is a full-throttle experience, and to be perfectly honest, it left me feeling incredibly queasy.
Building a Powerhouse Cast
Adapting Kraus's terrifying and emotional story of a young scuba diver swallowed alive by a sperm whale while searching for his estranged father's remains required a heavy-hitting cast. To play the complicated father, Mitt Gardiner, Duffield secured the legendary Josh Brolin. "We cast Josh first because he is obviously perfect for the role," Brian told me. But the real weight of the film rests on the shoulders of Austin Abrams, who plays the son, Jay. You likely recognize Austin from his standout role as Ethan in Euphoria, or his memorable performances in two recent blockbusters. "Austin came to us through the normal audition process, before Weapons and Resident Evil, and he just blew us all away," Brian recalled. "When the studio saw the tapes, they agreed immediately that he was the guy. He has been an amazing partner throughout this whole time".
The Gruelling Reality of the Belly
The bulk of the movie, a claustrophobic, harrowing 90 minutes, takes place entirely inside the whale's digestive tract. Austin’s physical performance is so visceral that I had to ask if there was some extreme method acting involved. "It's not his real blood, but everything that happens to Austin in the movie is actually happening to him on set," Brian revealed. It sounds like an exhausting nightmare for an actor, and Brian agreed. "My job is mostly taking care of Austin. He is in the whale for over 40 days of his life, which means all day, every day he is screaming, crying, and throwing up," he said. "That sustained intensity is really hard for any young actor to do, so it was important for me and the crew to just be there for him, figure out what he needs, and help him through the gauntlet of performing".
Irish Roots and Honouring the Coast
While the interior of the whale is pure terror, the exterior shots showcase the stunning, iconic California coastline. "The story is set in Monterey, California, which is an iconic Californian institute," Brian explained. "The ocean diving scenes were partially shot off Catalina, and we did some boat work and shot the family home in San Pedro, California. It was all shot in California". Since Radio Nova is an Irish station, and I am both an Aussie and an Irishman, I knew I had to ask him about his own connection to Ireland. Coming from two lands surrounded by the sea, I was curious if his background influenced his approach to the ocean, and whether this film would encourage people to go into the water responsibly, or just terrify them. "You just have to go into the ocean responsibly," he cautioned. "Austin's character makes the fatal mistake of going by himself, which you should never do. We are very pro-ocean and pro-whale over here, so hopefully, we don't give people the full Jaws effect". When I asked if it was true that he grew up in Ireland, he was quick to confirm his deep roots here. "Yeah, a little bit. Yeah," Brian told me. "My family currently live in Kildare. So I grew up in Kildare and I grew up in Clare right by the Shannon Airport".
I made sure to let him know that Radio Nova broadcasts directly to Kildare, so hopefully, the Duffields were listening in.
To wrap up I asked Brian the ultimate question: is Whalefall a horror or a thriller? "I don't really care what it's called; I think it's a very unique movie," he answered thoughtfully. "When I read the book, I found parts of it downright horrifying and other parts incredibly emotional. It’s a weird cocktail of a bunch of different things". Believe me, it’s a cocktail that goes down hard, but it's one you won't forget. If you're brave enough, go see Whalefall, and if you really want to test your stomach, see it in 4DX. I did, and I survived to tell the tale.
