Despite the massive success of the recent Resident Evil reboot, its star Austin Abrams hasn't seen that magic rub off on his other project. His survival thriller Whalefall, which hit theaters just weeks after the video game adaptation, is now facing a steep decline. After a month in release, the film has been pulled from a staggering 2,600 screens, leaving it in just a few hundred locations nationwide.
The movie, which also features Josh Brolin, generated plenty of buzz before its October 16 debut. The premise—a diver gets swallowed alive by a whale—was intriguing enough to spark curiosity. But that initial excitement didn't translate into ticket sales. Whalefall has grossed around $37 million worldwide, falling short of its reported $60 million budget.
A Tale of Two Thrillers
Abrams' other recent release, the Resident Evil reboot directed by Zach Cregger, shattered expectations. It pulled in a franchise-record $400 million globally and earned a rare 96% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes—a high watermark for video game movies. That film's success, however, didn't boost Whalefall's fortunes.
Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall holds a 71% critics' score and an 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Duffield is known for his genre work, including the dark comedy Spontaneous (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the wordless sci-fi thriller No One Will Save You (82%). He also wrote Love and Monsters (94%) and The Babysitter (70%).
Critical Reception and Box Office Reality
The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "Unforgettably visceral whenever it isn't getting mired in flashbacks, Whalefall's freaky concept requires suspension of disbelief that is rewarded with some of the most unusual set pieces the survival thriller genre has to offer." Collider's Charlie Ridgeley called it "a movie you'd catch during a cozy afternoon watching TNT on the couch with your dad."
Despite the positive notices, the film's box office performance has been disappointing. It debuted in 3,065 theaters, but by its third week, it had lost about 1,000 screens. In its fourth week, another 1,625 theaters dropped it, leaving it in roughly 375 locations. This rapid decline mirrors the fate of other recent flops like The Dog Stars ($39 million) and In the Grey ($27 million).
For fans of survival thrillers, Whalefall might be worth catching on streaming or VOD when it lands there. In the meantime, if you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat viewing, check out our list of thrillers that never let up or explore Alan Ritchson's sci-fi thriller for a different kind of adrenaline rush.
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