“Whalefall” is not based on a true story, and not a horror film. Two things that might come off surprising before viewing. It is based on a book by Daniel Kraus. “Whalefall” desperately wants us to feel like it could be a true story. The scenario of being swallowed up accidentally by a Sperm whale while it was hunting squid seems such a wild premise that I believe having the audience think or ask if it is a true story is the driving force of promotion for it. “Whalefall” is not a true story, but a survivor story. A story that strength derives from determination. 

Jay’s father Mitt, played by Josh Brolin, has taken his own life. He chose to give his body to the ocean, just as a dying whale would do.  Mitt is obsessed with the ocean. It defines him, but not his son. A classic tale of a son not wanting to be like his dad. Mitt also emits tough love, brutish on Jay to be prepared to survive, to keep focus- to be skillful. All the tactics and determination Mitt bestows to Jay are what keeps him from finding a way to escape. An over-bearing, but loving and strong dominant father that made it impossible to love back provides the tools and necessities for Jay to make it out. “Whalefall” is a harkening from  those classic tales-taking from the root stems of ancient lores of being swallowed up by whales. The whale is the metaphor of overcoming the most brutal obstacle, entrapment. Mitt being consumed by his love of the ocean, his children feel second to that love, only to know in the end he wanted them to be themselves believing the skills and love he showed in his passion was applied to what his kids would eventually find to their passion. 

The film is best in the middle, as Jay struggles being  eaten by the whale, combatting it to life. The sensation and look seems plausible, seems authentic on how it would be in a whale. What the story struggles with is a compelling beginning and resounding predictable ending. Supporting roles are almost ignored and have little to do. It is so much one wonders why there is even a cast since it’s primary focus is Jay and Mitt and the whale. There is a scene in the kitchen with Jay and his sisters that should be more meaningful but comes off as staged and flat. The voice over narration comes off soapy and overly dramatic. It might be better not to have it.The film’s premise is there-and we are all greatly invested and divulged. 

The horror of being eaten by a giant whale is careful not to go too horrific and maybe it should have embraced the horror more, the terror more, the shock more. Instead the story wants to correlate the death of Mitt and the death of whales as providing not taking away. That there is an eloquence to be dying, especially as in the ocean. “The ocean always provides” Mitts says in a flashback. Even a foretold and expected, routine ending. 8/10