Writer-director Brian Duffield's upcoming film, Whalefall, centers on a harrowing survival story: a man is swallowed by a whale. Inspired by Daniel Kraus' novel of the same name, the film stars Austin Abrams as Jay, whose ordinary dive off the California coast takes a terrifying turn when he's consumed by a massive sperm whale. The narrative, much like the source material, is set to explore both Jay's desperate present and his past, with Josh Brolin appearing as his recently deceased father. Duffield described Whalefall as a "movie movie," aiming for a grand, theatrical experience.
Duffield, who previously directed the spectacle No One Will Save You, sought to create something similarly impactful with Whalefall. "Whale big," he stated, emphasizing the scale of the project. The director's collaboration with Kraus, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, was seamless. Duffield was captivated by the premise after Kraus tweeted about it before the novel was finished, leading to a swift acquisition of the rights and a close working relationship. "Working with Daniel was the easiest process I've ever had," Duffield commented. "He's been very involved. He was on set a lot. I've seen the movie probably 20 times. There hasn't been a single moment of friction."
Bringing the Whale to Life as a Character
A significant challenge in adapting Whalefall was personifying the whale itself, treating it not as a monster but as a co-star. Duffield drew parallels to the emotional connection audiences feel with characters like E.T. or King Kong, despite their non-human nature. "We talked a lot about how the whale is an innocent bystander in all of this," he explained. "It's not going after Austin. It doesn't know Austin exists." The goal was to foster a sense of fondness for the creature, imbued with a "Miyazaki quality," balancing terror with awe. Abrams' sensitive portrayal of Jay, who develops a connection with his immense captor, was crucial to this approach.
Duffield also focused on navigating the film's PG-13 rating, finding a delicate balance between depicting the visceral reality of being inside a whale and maintaining a sense of its living, non-sentient nature. The meticulous sound design, a significant focus for the production, was instrumental in this. "When you see the movie, you'll pretty much always hear the heartbeat and the whoosh of blood around Austin from veins, and just really being specific that it's an incredible place that he's in," Duffield said. The sound team's work was so impressive that studio heads were taken aback during a recent final playback.
Duffield likened the film's structure to a scaled-down version of The Lord of the Rings, describing it as a hero's quest within a confined space. "It's Frodo's journey, but it's like 10 feet," he joked, referring to the film's intimate yet immense setting. Despite the claustrophobic environment, the aim was to create a theatrical and grand experience, avoiding the feel of a small indie production. The film emphasizes the sheer immensity of the whale, which measures approximately 80 to 85 feet long.
A Universal Story for All Ages
Whalefall also explores themes of fatherhood and sonship, intended to resonate with a wide audience. "It's a movie about fathers and sons, and you want 10-year-olds to get as much out of it as 70-year-olds," Duffield stated. The film pushes the boundaries of its PG-13 rating, offering a story that younger viewers can experience with a sense of daring, while older audiences connect with its deeper emotional layers. Duffield cited Stand by Me as an inspiration for its ability to evolve with the viewer across different age groups, hoping Whalefall offers a similar multi-generational viewing experience for families.
Whalefall is set to open in theaters on October 16.