Summer is typically all about big blockbuster movies, but as the seasons begin to change in late August, you may be looking for something a little more sinister and spooky. This year, Netflix has you covered with The Whisper Man, a serial killer thriller that arrives on the streaming platform just before Labor Day.
Based on the book by Alex North and directed by New Zealand filmmaker James Ashcroft, The Whisper Man stars Severance’s Adam Scott as a crime writer who teams up with his retired-cop father (Robert De Niro) to rescue his kidnapped son. Along the way, they uncover new details about a serial killer called The Whisper Man who was convicted decades earlier. The movie also stars Michelle Monaghan, Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Luca Porto, and Will Brill.
For Polygon’s 2026 Summer Preview, we caught up with Ashcroft for a hint of what to expect when The Whisper Man arrives on Netflix and the classic thrillers that inspired him.
Polygon: What excited you about this script when you first read it?
James Ashcroft: Coincidentally, my wife had gifted me the novel, and I was reading it at the same time I received the script — so I took that as a positive sign from the universe!
Ultimately, as a parent and a son, it’s the relationships at the heart of this story that resonated with me the most. It’s about fathers and sons. It’s a story about acceptance; acceptance that everything we experience becomes a part of who we are. And it’s a timely reminder that all things, good and bad, stem from the home. Those aren’t the usual fare found in this genre, and it was the potential of exploring those relations and emotions that made me lean in.
You have a pretty great cast. Can you talk about the chemistry between your three leads: Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan?
One of the most exciting aspects was seeing Bob, Michelle, and Adam inhabit roles we don’t usually get to see them play in and that made for an incredibly strong dynamic. They are all very different from one another in terms of their approach, but there is an authentic curiosity and generosity in their work which unified them and was compelling to watch unfold. All three are at the top of their game and also just damn good human beings!
Did Severance inspire you to cast Adam Scott?
Severance would be enough to inspire anyone to cast Adam, but I had in fact long been inspired to cast him in this project before I ever saw Severance. I was a fan of his versatility and nuance in Parks & Recreation and Big Little Lies, but had always felt that deep well of skill and emotional range in everything he does. I love it when actors like Adam leave a lasting impression that continues to grow in your imagination; when you become aware that it’s their voice you are hearing the characters speak through. It was like that for me when I first read this script; it’s Adam I am seeing as the mystery unfolds, it’s Adam I’m hearing in those conversations.
What five thrillers would you recommend audiences watch while they wait for The Whisper Man? Are there any that inspired you directly?
The Silence of the Lambs and Prisoners were always in the background in terms of inspiration and thematic territory we were mining in The Whisper Man.
But there’s also Memories of Murder, Se7en, and some lesser discussed gems like Jennifer 8 and The Pledge that come to mind; they made such indelible impressions on me because of their focus on character, complexity of relationships and the incredible performances of the actors.
The Whisper Man hits Netflix on Aug. 28.
