Actor Josh Brolin opens up about his emotional experience with ‘Whalefall’

Actor Josh Brolin revealed that reading Daniel Kraus’ novel Whalefall moved him to tears. 

In an interview with Michael Higham on IGN Fall Fan Fest 2026, Josh, who plays Mitt Gardiner in the film adaptation, described Whalefall as “more experimental” when asked how it differed from his previous roles.

“I was so taken by when I read his book,” he began. 

“I was in Italy doing Ridley’s movie and I read the book and I put it to my chest and I wrapped my arms around and I just sobbed. I still don’t know exactly why,” Josh, who also starred in the 2026 Ridley Scott film The Dog Stars, said.

“I think I know but why I cried that hard and was so taken by the book, and then I was taken by the script… So I was already in once I read the book,” he added.

Josh also reflected on his initial doubts about whether it would work, given that much of the story takes place inside a whale. Fortunately, the film came together successfully, with Josh recalling what viewers had told him about their experience watching it. 

“This movie probably won’t work, 80% of it takes place inside of a whale, you know what I mean? And then when you watch it and it works and you’re so happy that there’s this like invisible tentacle with the people that I’ve talked to that have seen it, that just grabs them,” he said.

“It grabs their heart and it won’t let go. So, I’ve had people that have seen it and call me three weeks later and say, ‘I still can’t stop thinking about this movie,’” he added.

Josh stars alongside Austin Abrams, who plays the lead character Jay Gardiner. The film, which follows the story of a diver who was swallowed alive by a sperm whale, was directed and co-written by Brian Duffield. Daniel Kraus, the author of the original novel, also co-wrote the screenplay.

During the interview, the actors and filmmakers also discussed the challenges of bringing the story’s unusual setting to life. Austin said the production built fully immersive, 360-degree sets to recreate the inside of a whale, while Daniel described the challenges of working inside the set.  

“What Austin is leaving out is that it’s horrible in there. It was filled with this like a mucousy slime and it’s extremely slippery, and pretty claustrophobic, which all lines up really with a real whale stomach,” he said. 

Brian, meanwhile, revealed that the team studied footage of beached sperm whale autopsies and endoscopies of beluga whales and dolphins, while consulting experts to help recreate the setting as realistically as possible.

Austin also described the physical intensity of filming the scenes, explaining how crew members manipulated the set around him to simulate the movement of the whale. 

Distributed by 20th Century Studios, Whalefall premiered on October 14, 2026 in the Philippines and is now showing in cinemas nationwide.