Disney's survival thriller 'Whalefall,' based on Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel, attempts to mirror the success of Andy Weir’s 'The Martian' by focusing on a lone protagonist facing dire circumstances. However, the film falls short of replicating the compelling blend of optimism, humor, and thrilling problem-solving that made Weir's story a masterpiece.
'Whalefall' centers on Jay Gardiner, portrayed by Austin Abrams, whose reckless solo scuba dive leads to him being swallowed by a sperm whale. Jay’s actions are a direct result of his unresolved grief over his father, Mitt Gardiner, played by Josh Brolin. Mitt, a dive enthusiast, opted for a ritualistic death at sea rather than succumbing to illness, a moment that serves as the film’s most emotionally resonant scene, powerfully anchored by Brolin’s performance.
A year after his father's death, Jay struggles with his loss, avoiding the cemetery and fixated on retrieving his father's remains from the ocean. This quest, defying his father’s stated wishes for his remains to nourish the sea like a whale carcass, sets Jay on a perilous course. His initial solo dive ignores explicit safety lessons from his father, as well as warnings from his father's friend Hewey and the Coast Guard, culminating in his unfortunate encounter with a giant squid and its subsequent predator.
The film relies heavily on formulaic flashbacks to depict the fraught father-son relationship. These scenes often serve to provide Jay with highly specific survival advice for his immediate crisis, such as conserving oxygen or using found objects to escape. While these moments are intended to highlight Mitt's teachings, they contribute to an increasingly absurd narrative that undermines the film's dramatic aspirations.
A Questionable Premise and Unconvincing Stakes
Similar to '127 Hours,' 'Whalefall' uses flashbacks and a protagonist's internal struggle to drive the narrative. However, unlike the true story that inspired Boyle's film, 'Whalefall's' premise strains credulity. Despite impressive practical sets designed to convey Jay’s claustrophobic predicament, his plight rarely feels genuinely threatening. A particularly odd scene involves Jay using a bioluminescent jellyfish as a light source while apologizing to it for mistreating it, an element that feels more suited to a lighthearted video game adaptation than a survival thriller.
The portrayal of the father-son dynamic, while featuring Brolin's experienced performance, lacks depth. The flashbacks establish Mitt's passion for the sea and his pressure on Jay to inherit this knowledge, but they fail to fully develop their relationship or explore other family members' perspectives. The film overlooks potential resentments from Jay's siblings and presents a simplified view of Mitt, glossing over any potentially negative aspects of his character.
'Whalefall' offers detailed instructions on scuba diving safety but offers little insight into the characters' motivations for their actions. While the film includes moments of visual beauty, such as the whale in dark waters or Jay swimming among kelp forests, a simple scene of Mitt and Jay sharing a dive together might have provided much-needed emotional context.
The central metaphor of Mitt having 'swallowed' Jay, representing the weight of his father’s expectations and Jay’s subsequent grief, could have been effective in a more abstract narrative. However, the film's attempt to imbue a silly premise with gravitas, coupled with repetitive flashback exposition, ultimately drains 'Whalefall' of its potential emotional impact. The film shares narrative and structural similarities with 'The Martian,' but without its predecessor's successful execution, 'Whalefall' appears destined for a less triumphant reception.