Based on the novel of the same name by Daniel Kraus and directed by Brian Duffield, "Whalefall" follows Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) attempting to locate the remains of his late father (Josh Brolin) in the place he knew best: the sea.
"This guy swims up out of no-where, guides me up like an angel," a dive shop owner recounts to Jay. "Did you know him?"
"No," Jay responds. There was animosity between the two, but he's determined to seek out his dad's final resting place, diving into the waters wearing scuba gear.
The ocean, however, is not as forgiving.
"In the ocean, predators have all the advantages," the voice of Jay's father says. "So what options does that leave prey like you?"
A squid quickly swims directly towards Jay, seeming to attack him as he tries to paddle away. Then from the darkness of the water, the whale chasing the squid emerges, with a frantic Jay caught in the crossfire. Caught up in the chaotic currents, Jay ends up in the whale's mouth right alongside the squid, and both are swallowed whole.
Now trapped in the whale's stomach, with only his scuba lamp for light and oxygen running out, Jay must rely on his dad's childhood lessons to make it out alive.
"You're just going to accept your fate?" Jay's father asks. "No. I wanted to pass on things I knew so when it matters, you'll know what to do."
Fighting against his own body, Jay must control his breathing to make his air last. He isn't the only thing that was swallowed, and the squid is as desperate as he is. All while pushing to stay awake as the whale dives deeper into the sea.
Relying on his father's teachings and finding strength within himself, every second counts when waiting for the next gasp of fresh air.
"Whalefall" comes to theaters Oct. 16.
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