Resident Evil Star Austin Abrams Swallowed by a Whale in New Whalefall Trailer

20th Century Studios has released the first trailer for Whalefall, a deep-sea thriller starring Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin. According to ComingSoon.net, the film follows a diver swallowed by a sperm whale and is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 16, 2026.

The film is an adaptation of the 2023 novel of the same name by author Daniel Kraus. ComingSoon.net reports the story centers on Jay Gardiner, played by Abrams, who dives off the central coast of California to locate the remains of his deceased father, played by Brolin.

The studio’s official synopsis describes the central conflict of the movie:

Following the death of his father (Josh Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin 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.
20th Century Studios

What happens in the Whalefall trailer?

The trailer opens with a series of life lessons Gardiner learned from his father before transitioning into an extended sequence from the film. ComingSoon.net describes the footage as a thrilling sequence that shows Gardiner diving into the ocean and attempting to escape a sperm whale.

The footage concludes with Gardiner being swallowed by the whale while engaged in a battle with a giant squid. This trailer is largely the same version that premiered at CinemaCon earlier in 2026, according to the report.

During the week of June 9, 2026, a specialized 4DX version of the trailer was previewed for journalists at the Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria. Both Austin Abrams and director Brian Duffield attended the preview event.

Who is in the cast and crew of Whalefall?

Brian Duffield directs the feature and co-wrote the screenplay with Daniel Kraus. The production team includes producers Brian Grazer, Brian Duffield, Jeb Brody, and Allan Mandelbaum. Doug Merrifield, Richard Abate, and Will Rowbotham serve as executive producers.

Beyond the lead roles of Abrams and Brolin, the film’s cast features several established actors. ComingSoon.net lists the following cast members:

• Elisabeth Shue
• John Ortiz
• Jane Levy
• Emily Rudd

What is the source material for the movie?

The screenplay is based on Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel Whalefall. The book was recognized by The New York Times, which included it on their list of the Best Thrillers of 2023.

Kraus has a history of writing genre fiction. His other credits include Trollhunters, Angel Down, and Rotters, according to the source material.

What other projects is Austin Abrams working on?

Abrams’ role in Whalefall follows a string of appearances in high-profile projects. He is scheduled to appear in Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil film.

His recent work includes roles in the 2025 film Weapons and the 2024 movie Wolfs. He is also known for his work on the HBO series Euphoria, according to ComingSoon.net.