Meet the Cast of ‘Whalefall’ (with Pictures)

Directed by Brian Duffield and adapted from the 2023 novel by Daniel Kraus, ‘Whalefall‘ is a survival thriller centered on a young scuba diver named Jay Gardiner. While searching for the remains of his deceased father off the coast of California, Jay is swallowed whole by an eighty-foot sperm whale, leaving him with approximately one hour of oxygen to plot an escape. The film features an ensemble cast bringing the Gardiner family and their close community to the screen, exploring themes of grief, survival, and familial legacy.

Austin Abrams

Austin Abrams stars as Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver searching for the remains of his deceased father off the coast of California. During his dive, Jay is swallowed alive by an eighty-foot sperm whale and must utilize his remaining hour of oxygen to find a way out. Abrams is known for his television roles as Ethan Lewis in ‘Euphoria’, Dash in ‘Dash & Lily’, and Ron Anderson in ‘The Walking Dead’. His film credits include appearances in ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Chemical Hearts’, ‘Do Revenge’, and ‘Wolfs’. In ‘Whalefall’, the actor spends the majority of the runtime portraying Jay’s physical struggle to survive inside the whale while reflecting on his upbringing.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin portrays Mitt Gardiner, Jay’s estranged father whose death prompts the central events of the narrative. Mitt was an experienced diver who chose to end his life in the Pacific Ocean after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. Brolin earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the biographical film ‘Milk’. He has starred in numerous high-profile productions, portraying Thanos in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Llewelyn Moss in ‘No Country for Old Men’, and Gurney Halleck in ‘Dune’. In ‘Whalefall’, Mitt appears throughout the story in flashback sequences as Jay recalls the survival lessons taught by his father.

Elisabeth Shue

Elisabeth Shue plays Zara Gardiner, Jay’s mother and the widow of Mitt Gardiner. Her character copes with the emotional devastation and practical challenges confronting the household following her husband’s demise. Shue received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 drama ‘Leaving Las Vegas’. Her extensive screen career includes roles in feature films such as ‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Adventures in Babysitting’, and ‘Back to the Future Part II’, as well as the television series ‘The Boys’.

John Ortiz

John Ortiz portrays Hewey, a retired dentist who is a longtime friend and confidant of Mitt Gardiner. Hewey provides support to Jay and helps provide background regarding Mitt’s final days and his relationship with the sea. Ortiz is an American character actor who portrayed Arturo Braga in the action films ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Fast & Furious 6’. His filmography also includes performances in major releases such as ‘Carlito’s Way’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Ad Astra’, and ‘American Fiction’.

Jane Levy

Jane Levy stars as Eva Gardiner, the eldest daughter of Mitt and Zara and the older sister of Jay. Eva attempts to keep the family grounded while grappling with the anger and unresolved questions surrounding her father’s death. Levy gained initial prominence on television playing the lead role of Tessa Altman in the ABC comedy series ‘Suburgatory’. She subsequently starred in the feature horror films ‘Evil Dead’ and ‘Don’t Breathe’, and received a Golden Globe nomination for the musical comedy series ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’.

Emily Rudd

Emily Rudd portrays Nan Gardiner, the middle daughter of the Gardiner family and sister to Jay and Eva. Her character shares in the grief of the Gardiner household as the family processes the sudden loss of their patriarch. Rudd achieved international recognition for portraying Nami in the live-action television adaptation ‘One Piece’. She also played Cindy Berman in the horror films ‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’ and ‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’, and appeared in the romantic science-fiction film ‘Moonshot’.

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