Robert De Niro and Adam Scott Hunt a Killer in Netflix's 'The Whisper Man'

Netflix is taking subscribers back to the peak era of gritty cinema with its new serial killer flick *The Whisper Man*. Directed by James Ashcroft, the feature pulls direct inspiration from the slick, atmospheric suspense movies that dominated multiplexes throughout the 1990s. At the center of the mystery is Adam Scott playing Tom Kennedy, a successful crime thriller novelist attempting to rebuild his life. Following the tragic death of his wife, Tom packages up his life and relocates back to his childhood hometown alongside his eight-year-old son, Jake (played by Acston Luca Porto). Things get creepy fast for the small family. Young Jake is a deeply sensitive kid who starts catching glimpses of a mysterious girl wearing a blue sweater everywhere they go. Despite writing dark airport novels for a living, Tom overlooks his son's eerie warnings, unaware that his own family is stepping straight into a real-life thriller.

What Is The Whisper Man Movie About?

The plot thickens with the inclusion of Tom's estranged father, Pete Willis, brought to life by screen legend Robert De Niro. Decades before the movie's main timeline, Pete served as a seasoned police detective who successfully nabbed a notorious murderer known to the public as "The Whisper Man." Even though the legendary killer remains locked away behind bars, the shadow of his past crimes continues to loom heavily over the small town and Pete's divided family. The lingering trauma sets up a tension-filled dynamic between the estranged father and son.

BUZZBEAT

How Are Critics Rating The Whisper Man on Netflix?

Critical reactions position *The Whisper Man* as a solid, three-star pop-thriller that delivers pure retro nostalgia. Rather than reaching the masterclass levels of '90s juggernauts like *The Silence of the Lambs*, *Se7en*, or *Copycat*, reviewers note the film feels much closer to middle-tier hits of the decade such as *The Bone Collector*, *Jennifer 8*, *Knight Moves*, and *Desperate Measures*. While it may not completely reinvent the serial killer genre, the combination of James Ashcroft's direction and the star wattage of Robert De Niro and Adam Scott gives viewers a reliable, throwback popcorn watch.