WHALEFALL is a thrilling survival story mixed with a father-son grief story that hits very expected beats but earns its emotion thanks to Austin Abramsโ agonizing and physically committed performance. Josh Brolin is effective in his short bursts, but the real highlight is the filmโs craftsmanship. The enveloping sound work is some of the best of the year, the score pulls you into the storyโs emotional current with the right level of force, and the production design (aided by some really good visual effects work) is so immersive that my jaw was on the floor multiple times, gazing in wonder at how Brian Duffield, his team, and Abrams pulled this off. A bit sappy (and slimy) but consistently gripping and definitely not for those who suffer from severe claustrophobia!