Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Austin Abrams Met Sperm Whales Before Filming Whalefall
Austin Abrams is an actor in a movie called Whalefall.
In the story, his character is swallowed by a sperm whale while diving.
Before filming, Abrams went to Dominica to see real sperm whales underwater.
Whale expert Patrick Dykstra guided him.
The whales appeared on both days Abrams was there, even though nobody had seen them in the nine days before his visit.
Three female whales once swam close and rested in the water near him.
Abrams said being near them felt almost like being with an alien.
He also got advanced scuba training and practiced wearing scuba gear.
The experience helped him prepare for playing someone trapped underwater.
Austin Abrams visited a sperm whale sanctuary near Dominica before filming Whalefall.
Whale documentarian Patrick Dykstra guided Abrams during scuba dives to observe wild sperm whales.
Abrams saw whales on both days of his visit, after none had been seen during the previous nine days.
Director Brian Duffield said Abrams earned advanced scuba certification after being cast.
Abrams also walked around his neighborhood wearing full scuba gear to prepare for the film’s underwater scenes.
- Who
- Actor Austin Abrams, guided by whale documentarian Patrick Dykstra, prepared for his role in Whalefall.
- What
- Abrams observed sperm whales in their natural habitat and trained for the film’s underwater sequences.
- When
- Before principal photography; no specific date is given.
- Where
- A sperm whale sanctuary near Dominica in the Caribbean, and Abrams’s neighborhood.
- Why
- To help Abrams understand sperm whales and prepare authentically for his character and the film’s demanding underwater scenes.
- Film
- Whalefall
- Lead actor
- Austin Abrams
- Whale guide
- Patrick Dykstra
- Visit location
- A sperm whale sanctuary near Dominica in the Caribbean
- Whale sightings
- Abrams saw sperm whales on both days of his visit; none had been seen during the previous nine days.
- Training
- Abrams earned advanced scuba certification and practiced walking in full scuba gear.