A new survival thriller set off the coast of California explores the harrowing ordeal of a young diver swallowed by a sperm whale. The film, adapted from Daniel Kraus’ bestselling 2023 novel and directed by Brian Duffield, centers on Jay (Austin Abrams), a university student grappling with the legacy of his father Mitt (Josh Brolin), a boatman who died by suicide at sea following an incurable illness.
On the anniversary of Mitt’s death, Jay embarks on a solo diving expedition to the location where his father drowned, hoping to recover his remains and find some measure of closure. However, instead of discovering his father’s body, Jay is unexpectedly engulfed by a 60-ton sperm whale. Trapped within the whale’s stomach, Jay faces a claustrophobic and life-threatening struggle as his oxygen supply runs dangerously low, while also confronting memories of his complicated relationship with his father.
The film intersperses the tense underwater scenes with flashbacks that reveal a fraught but deeply human father-son dynamic. Mitt is portrayed as a difficult yet caring man who struggled to communicate with his son, leaving Jay burdened by unresolved feelings of disappointment and misunderstanding. As Jay fights for survival, he also embarks on a psychological journey toward acceptance and reconciliation with his father’s memory.
Reactions to the film’s premise and execution have been mixed. Some critics find the story surprisingly compelling for its emotional depth and authentic portrayal of Jay’s internal conflicts, praising Abrams for his ability to carry much of the film alone with minimal dialogue and confined space. The claustrophobic setting inside the whale is noted for its visual and narrative intensity, lending a unique atmosphere to the survival thriller genre.
Conversely, others view the film’s concept as implausible and at times awkwardly handled. Scientific accuracy is notably absent; medical and biological realities suggest that a human could not survive such conditions inside a whale’s digestive system. The depiction of the whale’s interior, including sequences where Jay removes his diving mask and breathes methane, has been criticized as fanciful and unrealistic. Some reviewers argue that the film relies heavily on clichés and visual shortcuts, limiting its stylistic range and narrative complexity.
The story also employs symbolic and biblical references, drawing a parallel between Jay’s ordeal and the biblical figure Jonah, who was swallowed by a large fish. This allegorical layer is embraced by some as adding thematic depth, while others deem it overly sentimental or heavy-handed.
The film’s conclusion features a moment reminiscent of the classic thriller "Jaws," albeit from the perspective inside the predator, a choice that has been noted for its dark irony and as a reflection of the film’s unusual premise.
Running just over 100 minutes and rated for mature audiences, the movie presents a blend of intense survival drama, family reconciliation, and surreal underwater adventure, leaving audiences divided over whether it succeeds as a gripping thriller or strains credulity for the sake of spectacle.