"The Whisper Man" Review — A Killer Cast Trapped in Familiar Territory

After directing the highly enjoyable “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” James Ashcroft brings his talent to Netflix with an adaptation of Alex North’s novel “The Whisper Man.” Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer wrote the film’s screenplay, and it stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, and Michael Keaton.

Widowed crime writer Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott) is in despair after his young son, Jake (Acston Luca Porto), goes missing. Initially, Amanda Beck (Michelle Monaghan) is assigned to the case, but Tom feels she isn’t moving quickly enough for his liking. At his wit’s end, Tom reluctantly seeks help from his estranged father, Pete Willis (Robert De Niro), a retired detective who once captured the serial killer Frank Carter (Michael Keaton), aka The Whisper Man, who is currently behind bars. However, Tom quickly discovers a connection between his son’s abduction and the decades-old case of The Whisper Man.

On paper, the film’s cast should be enough to lock viewers in. Then there’s the hook: a creepy serial killer with his own nursery rhyme- come on, now that’s harmless fun. And there are moments when “The Whisper Man” absolutely scratches that old-school serial-killer-thriller itch. Ashcroft understands that sometimes all you need is a dark hallway, an unsettling voice, and the horrible realization that someone has been communicating with a child without the parents knowing.

The film is actually at its best when it keeps things simple. Adam Scott gives Tom the desperation of a father realizing his worst nightmare in real time. His scenes with De Niro also provide the movie with its strongest emotional material because The Whisper Man is ultimately as interested in damaged fathers and sons as it is in catching a killer.

Michael Keaton, meanwhile, understands exactly what movie he is in. His Frank Carter is disturbing without becoming another bargain-bin Hannibal Lecter impression, and Keaton brings enough eccentricity to his limited screen time that I found myself wishing the movie used him more.

Unfortunately, familiarity eventually catches up with the film. We’ve seen the imprisoned serial killer who knows more than he is saying. We’ve seen the tortured retired cop haunted by the one case he never fully escaped. We’ve seen creepy children, missing kids, mysterious drawings, and killers communicating through disturbing messages.

There is also a supernatural element that adds another wrinkle but never blends seamlessly with the crime thriller surrounding it. Instead of enriching the movie, it occasionally feels like The Whisper Man is trying to serve two different stories. Michelle Monaghan is also capable of carrying this type of thriller in her sleep, so having Amanda largely serve the mechanics of the investigation feels like a missed opportunity.

The Whisper Man is watchable. With this cast, it would almost have to try not to be. But that’s also the frustration. Give me De Niro and Keaton in a serial-killer thriller, and “watchable” should be the floor—not the ceiling.

Final Grade: C+

“The Whisper Man” is streaming on Netflix now.