Netflix Releases Crime Thriller 'The Whisper Man' with De Niro, Keaton

Netflix released the crime thriller "The Whisper Man" for streaming on Friday, August 28, 2026. The film, an adaptation of author Alex North's 2019 novel, features an ensemble cast led by Adam Scott, Robert De Niro, and Michael Keaton. Directed by James Ashcroft, the story follows widowed crime writer Tom Kennedy, played by Scott, whose eight-year-old son is abducted. Forced to confront his past, Tom seeks help from his estranged father, retired detective Pete Willis, portrayed by De Niro. The investigation reveals a disturbing link between the new kidnapping and a decades-old case involving a serial killer known as the Whisper Man.

The imprisoned Whisper Man is revealed to be Frank Carter, played by Michael Keaton in what sources describe as a special performance. The plot thickens as the copycat crimes mirror the methods of the original killer, who was captured by Pete Willis years ago. The narrative centers on fractured family relationships, particularly between fathers and sons, as Tom and Pete must navigate their strained bond while searching for the missing boy. Michelle Monaghan also stars as Detective Amanda Beck, who is working the case.