‘The Whisper Man’ Review – Paint-by-Numbers Mystery, Saved By Standout Perfomances

The elusive serial killer taunting the cops is a staple of the mystery genre. Certainly, it has been refurbished and repackaged over and over again. Even when it misses the mark, something still compels us. We are drawn to it like a moth to the flame, or perhaps more like bats to the darkness of a cave. It’s a labored simile, but these types of films hold an audience’s interest. The latest entry in this catalog is The Whisper Man. A slightly uneven but atmospheric mystery thriller that is spotlighted by a standout cast and one particularly spine-tingling performance.

Reeling from the loss of his wife, crime novelist Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott) moves with his son Jake (Acston Luca Porto) back to his hometown. There, a serial killer is seemingly patterning himself after an incarcerated one known as The Whisper Man (Michael Keaton). When Jake becomes the latest abductee, Tom turns to his estranged father, retired detective Pete Willis (Robert De Niro), for help finding Jake, who may also hold the key to tying up the loose threads involving The Whisper Man.

The film’s mystery elements are front and center. Based on the novel by author Alex North, the film embraces a darker, almost psychological study of guilt and the ties that bind, and moves at a more streamlined pace. The focus leans more on standard shock elements and the family drama at the center of the case.

A sly supernatural threadline also runs through the film, adding an interesting wrinkle, though the revelation it unearths is far less shocking and more cerebral. Part of the early story focuses on Jake reeling from the death of his mother, and as a result, he retreats into isolation and imaginary elements. In addition to sheltering him, it makes him a prime target for the elusive Whisper Man.

The story, and the ultimate revelation of the new Whisper Man and the reasoning behind it, are flimsy and even convoluted. Astute viewers and even passive ones will likely pick up on who is behind the killings early on, even as the film hamfistedly doles out red herrings which have more holes in them than Swiss cheese. Ultimately, it’s a family drama at its heart, rather than a gripping mystery. Still, the film makes up for story shortcomings with atmospheric tension and a drip, drip, drip feeling of dread.

The real reason to sit through The Whisper Man is the performances. De Niro plays well opposite Scott, as a struggling father trying to reconnect with his distant son. Their dynamic adds a unique wrinkle to the story. What starts as a serial-killer mystery becomes a reckoning with family and the past. Both deliver strong performances, as does Monaghan. While she plays the archetypal detective found in these films, yet she still finds humanity in the role.

However, the real showstopper, and frankly scene stealer, is Michael Keaton. He is not a major player in the story in terms of screen time, but when he does show up, he commands our full attention. Sneering and leering as the incarcerated serial killer, he deliciously taunts both De Niro and Monaghan. The story’s viper, he dishes out unsavory but knifing truths that cut deep. He is a monstrous creep in the film and a reminder of other villainous roles Keaton has played throughout his career.

The Whisper Man is far from a standout in the genre, outside of the performance. It is a paint-by-the-numbers serial killer mystery with a dash of supernatural flair. All in all, it holds the audience’s interest, even though the final destination is quite clear, despite the influx of shadows the film tries to create.

The Whisper Man is now available to stream on Netflix.