Whalefall First Reactions Land Ahead of 16 October Release

Early word on Whalefall is out.

First reactions to the survival thriller feature have been posted on social media after a run of preview screenings, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 20th Century Studios held the screenings over the last week, including a gala screening in London.

The film stars Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner. He goes diving off the central Coast of California in search of his father's remains and is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. Trapped inside, he has one hour of oxygen left.

Josh Brolin plays Jay's father. The cast also includes Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd.

Brian Duffield directed the film and co-wrote the script with Daniel Kraus. It is based on Kraus' 2023 novel of the same name.

Full critics' reviews remain under embargo, meaning they cannot be published yet, until Oct. 14. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on Oct. 16, with 20th Century Studios handling the release in theatres. In Australia and New Zealand, it is scheduled for cinemas on October 15, according to 20th Century Studios AUNZ.

First footage from the project was shown at CinemaCon, the annual gathering for cinema owners, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The trailer shows Abrams being swallowed whole by a sperm whale while on a scuba diving trip. Abrams and Duffield have already met audiences at a screening, according to 20th Century Studios.

For fans, this means the short social media posts are only a first signal. The fuller verdicts will follow next week, just days before the film opens.