‘Whalefall’ First Reactions Are Mixed, But Critics Are Praising Austin Abrams Performance: Read All the Tweet Reviews

Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin at Whalefall London premiere — Credit: Getty

The upcoming movie Whalefall will be hitting theaters on October 16 and the first reactions from critics have been made available.

Ahead of full reviews being released, critics have been allowed to share their brief thoughts on social media. The reactions appear to be mixed, but one thing that everyone seems to be agreeing on is Austin Abrams‘ performance.

Austin and Josh Brolin lead the new epic and emotional survival thriller based on the acclaimed 2023 novel of the same name by Daniel Kraus. The actors just hit the red carpet for the film’s London premiere on Monday night (October 5) in England.

Check out film’s synopsis:

Following the death of his father (Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Abrams) goes diving off the Central Coast of California in search of his remains, but is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape.

So, what are the critics saying? Read all of the tweets below!

Brian Duffield’s #Whalefall is a new claustrophobic classic. Austin Abrams shines in this oceanic estranged family flick.

Coupled with a stellar performance by Josh Brolin, the film boasts a poignant storyline and phenomenal CGI effects. It’s whale of a time! @20thCenturyUK pic.twitter.com/vkZ2u4tIHh

— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 5, 2026

WHALEFALL is an intense rollercoaster of a survival thriller, with an incredible performance once again by Austin Abrams. The film is at its best when putting you in claustrophobic, bone crunching scenarios that will have you wincing at the screen. However at times takes itself a… pic.twitter.com/2KKsuvpu2B

— DawsOn… (@DawsBear) October 1, 2026

Brian Duffield’s #Whalefall is a blast, and it firmly cements Austin Abrams as one of fall’s most exciting rising stars. This is a film that goes well beyond the gimmick of having a guy stuck inside a whale, as Duffield smartly keeps those moments evolving and escalating in… pic.twitter.com/DAIAynvqQA

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 30, 2026

Fell down the majestic gullet of @BrianDuffield ‘s #Whalefall this evening. What an insane ride. I don’t think my knees stopped shaking the entire time. A gigantic, terrifying and emotional spectacle. What movies are made for. Go immerse yourself in it! pic.twitter.com/Hh4n79ssGr

— Rachael Prior (@OrachaelO) October 5, 2026

Like a messed up Inner Space, #Whalefall is guts, slime, and a terrific time. More than just a man-in-a-whale movie though, the entire thing is buoyed by an emotional core that’ll make you blubber. Abrams and Brolin are great, while Duffield shoots the hell out of it. pic.twitter.com/6Zr8Cg9M92

— Matt Rodgers (@MainstreamMatt) October 5, 2026

Whalefall: Part sentimental (ridiculously so at times), part cruelly devastating, but the weight and authenticity of its drama and the clarity of its action never quite lives up to its insane survival thriller premise. There’s a whole school of Ad Astra out there. pic.twitter.com/8NMfwbggDt

— ash @ lff (@yourbuddyash) October 6, 2026

austin abrams’ back must be ACHING this month. after carrying resident evil (2026) mostly solo, he carries another thriller #Whalefall playing as a guy trapped inside the stomach of a whale

this film is tense, disgusting, and disney somehow manage to make it work pic.twitter.com/pbtrnkziGK

— Zac ?? (@zachaniffx) September 30, 2026

#whalefall Men will literally get eaten by a whale instead of going to therapy. Whenever it’s focused on Austin Abrams going through the horrors, it is a fantastically entertaining film. But the boilerplate father-son trauma plot is a slog, and the ending is absurd (derogatory)

— Bethan Ackerley ?? (@inkerley) October 5, 2026

#whalefall was enjoyable! At its best when Austin Abrams is on screen with killer sound design. Definitely one to catch on the big screen

— Caden Harvey (@Cadenlukaharvey) October 5, 2026

#whalefall Men will literally get eaten by a whale instead of going to therapy. Whenever it’s focused on Austin Abrams going through the horrors, it is a fantastically entertaining film. But the boilerplate father-son trauma plot is a slog, and the ending is absurd (derogatory)

— Bethan Ackerley ?? (@inkerley) October 5, 2026

Genuinely didn’t know what to expect from #Whalefall but I had a hell of a time watching this! Austin Abrams trying to escape the gut of a sperm whale was more stressful than I thought it could be.

See this on a large format like RPX for the full experience! pic.twitter.com/Y1g7UPFox4

— Adam Hlavá? (@adamhlavac) September 30, 2026

I wanted to like #Whalefall more—the set pieces are nerve-shredding—but the film goes way too over-sentimental by the end.

Still worth watching on the big screen for the incredible sound design and another winning Austin Abrams performance. pic.twitter.com/6tuRlvjIu1

— Gavin Spoors ?? @ LFF (@supergavigator) October 5, 2026

whalefall: mixed overall (whale stuff, terrifying, stressful; father-son stuff, saccharine) – but austin abrams’ ability to convey fear, when his performance should ostensibly be inhibited by goggles and a breathing apparatus, is stunning work

— iana murray (@ianamurray) October 5, 2026

WHALEFALL: the most inexplicably boring movie of 2026? Half dimly lit survival thriller where you can’t distinguish a single fucking action sequence, half tiresome daddy issues drama with flat characterisation/performances, all parts patience testing

— Alistair’s Great Tweets (@YesitsAlistair) October 5, 2026

Whalefall hits theaters on October 16. Watch the trailer now and see more London premiere photos below!