Robert De Niro’s choices have not improved much since the mid-2000s, according to critics; his latest film, ‘The Whisper Man’, is seen as a particularly poor offering, reminiscent of the low-quality projects of that era. The film is as openly silly as its title suggests, with some hoping it would lead to a more deranged or surprising ending — Instead, it delivers a predictable and uninspiring experience, according to the review.

A Familiar Pile of B-Movie Schlock

‘The Whisper Man’ is based on Alex North’s novel, which was read by many in 2019 before being adapted by Netflix, but the film avoids the format of a limited series, which is often used for plot-heavy airport novels. However, stretching the characters across a runtime of nearly two hours proves challenging, though the story centers around Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott), a crime fiction-writing widower moving back to his hometown with his son Jake. His return coincides with a child-stealing murderer on the loose, who is being hunted by detective Amanda (Michelle Monaghan).

Unoriginal Plot and Poor Execution

The plot features an infamous serial killer, Frank (Michael Keaton), captured by the now-retired detective Pete (De Niro), who is also Tom’s estranged father, but When Jake goes missing, the three must work together. The film draws on familiar B-movie elements, such as a killer taunting the cops, a spookily underlit house, and a gothic nursery rhyme repeated on a loop. However, these elements are taken far more seriously than they deserve to be, according to the review.

The film suffers from the dreaded Netflix look, which is flatter and greyer than the glossy films it tries to emulate — the director, James Ashcroft, is criticized for a bland approach, a stark contrast to his previous work on ‘The Rule of Jenny Pen’. De Niro is described as being on full autopilot, mumbling perfunctory dialogue and showing little engagement; Adam Scott is seen as miscast, his performance often confusing sitcom histrionics with dramatic expression. His emotional responses to his son’s disappearance fail to register effectively.

Disappointing Final Act

A sudden twist in the final scene is so abrupt that it requires a rewind to confirm its accuracy. The final act is criticized for lacking surprise and suspense; a reveal is painted as such due to a poorly explored line of investigation earlier in the film. The overwrought jostling for weapons and the characters’ tumbles down stairs and into the basement are described as shoddily choreographed. The twist is seen as too sentimental, lacking the charm of a similarly silly ending in ‘Hide and Seek’.

The review concludes by expressing a desire for the kind of silly fun that was more common in the past. The film is described as a dumpier offering, with the hope that it might have been worth shouting about in a different era. ‘The Whisper Man’ is now available on Netflix.