Adam Scott has come a long way since his days as the lovable Ben Wyatt on Parks and Recreation. These days, the actor is building an impressive resume with projects like Severance, the Apple TV+ hit that earned him Emmy nominations for both of its seasons. He also stars in Hokum, a horror film that's already being hailed as a modern masterpiece. But Scott's next big role is in The Whisper Man, a Netflix psychological crime thriller that pairs him with screen legends Robert De Niro and Michelle Monaghan.
Set to premiere on August 28, The Whisper Man follows a widowed crime writer (Scott) who turns to his estranged father, a retired police detective (De Niro), after his son is kidnapped. The investigation uncovers a chilling link to a decades-old case involving a serial killer known as "The Whisper Man." The cast also includes Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Luca Porto, and Will Brill. The film is written by Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer and directed by James Ashcroft, with the Russo brothers producing.
In an exclusive interview, Ashcroft shared his approach to directing such a star-studded ensemble. "It has been an absolute dream working with this incredible ensemble," he said. "I’m less concerned with balance than I am with what the impact each role needs to make on the story and the audience. Every role must be essential in its intention to the story." He emphasized the importance of giving every actor, even day players, a sense of depth that makes the audience want to follow them if the camera shifts.
Ashcroft, whose previous films include Coming Home in the Dark and The Rule of Jenny Pen, brings a theater background to his work. He thrives on collaboration, knowing when to lead and when to step back. "As a director, you want to give actors the space to swing for the fences," he explained. "One of the most exciting aspects was discovering and setting those parameters for our ensemble."
Despite the larger scale and budget of The Whisper Man, Ashcroft found that the core challenges of filmmaking remain the same. "The pressures of managing time and resources remain the same regardless of scale," he noted. However, he admitted that the added layers of a bigger production sometimes impacted spontaneity. "Some days I yearned to just hang the camera handheld out of a moving car to get the shot before we ran out of light. But navigating those parameters is also an invitation to discover a creative path forward."
Netflix acquired the rights to The Whisper Man in 2022 and is releasing it exclusively on the streaming platform. While the streamer has experimented with theatrical releases, this film will debut directly to subscribers. For fans of psychological thrillers and crime dramas, this is one to watch. And if you're looking for more gripping stories, check out our list of Top 8 Thriller Shows on Apple TV+ Ranked: From Sci-Fi to Spy Drama or dive into Forgotten Crime Shows That Are Still Absolute Masterpieces.
With The Whisper Man, Ashcroft proves he can handle a big-budget production without losing the intimate, character-driven storytelling that made his earlier work stand out. The film promises to be a tense, emotional ride, anchored by a powerhouse cast and a director who knows how to let his actors shine.
