Actor Austin Abrams has taken on two physically demanding lead roles in Whalefall and Resident Evil, but he still refuses to pick which film pushed him harder. Despite spending much of the two productions facing very different challenges, the actor maintains that both experiences were equally demanding in their own ways.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Abrams revisited the question after previously avoiding a direct answer. While Whalefall required him to perform inside a confined whale-stomach set, Resident Evil involved extensive running, precise action sequences and night shoots. Even after hearing director Brian Duffield's argument that Whalefall was the more punishing production, Abrams remained diplomatic.
Austin Abrams Says Both Films Presented Different Challenges
When asked again whether Whalefall or Resident Evil was more difficult to film, Abrams laughed but refused to change his position. He acknowledged that the freedom to move his arms and legs in Resident Evil was one advantage over the physically restrictive environment of Whalefall. However, he also pointed out that both productions had their own difficulties and benefits. According to Abrams, the demanding conditions were part of what made the experiences memorable.
The actor had previously explained that wearing a wetsuit throughout the day for Whalefall was uncomfortable because of the constant pressure against his skin. In contrast, Resident Evil required him to run repeatedly while maintaining precise movements for action shots, often during night shoots. Abrams also noted that the zombie film had more comedic moments, which helped make the otherwise challenging work feel lighter. Ultimately, he described both projects as difficult and said he did not want to single either one out.
Why Whalefall Was Particularly Demanding for the Actor
Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a college student who returns to the California coast to search for his estranged father's remains. His underwater mission takes an unexpected turn when a sperm whale swallows him, leaving him trapped inside its stomach with limited oxygen.
Abrams had to spend considerable time working inside a practical whale-stomach set. The confined structure, combined with the camera equipment and crew members moving around it, made the filming experience physically challenging. In the interview, the actor was asked whether he had ever needed to be released early because the conditions became too uncomfortable. Abrams suggested that he had not experienced such a situation. He explained that accepting the difficulty as part of the performance made it easier to continue.
He also revealed that he had walked around in scuba gear to get accustomed to its weight. During another part of the preparation, his increasingly distressed appearance was so convincing that security personnel at the studio reportedly became concerned when they saw him.
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Resident Evil Brought Running, Night Shoots and Risky Stunts
In Resident Evil, Abrams plays Bryan, a medical courier caught in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Directed by Zach Cregger, the film presents an original story set in the franchise's zombie-infested world. Unlike the confined environment of Whalefall, this production demanded extensive physical movement. Abrams had to perform repeated running sequences while ensuring that his actions matched the precision required for each shot.
One particularly intense moment involved a 150-pound blood bag that came dangerously close to crushing him during the film's jumper street sequence. When asked whether the incident had rattled him, Abrams said he did not fully realise how close it had come at the time.
He explained that he wanted the stunt to look convincing on camera and was pleased with how close the blood bag appeared in the finished sequence. It was only during promotional interviews that he realised how alarming the moment had looked.
Brian Duffield Thinks Whalefall Put Abrams Through More
While Abrams continues to avoid choosing between the two films, Whalefall director Brian Duffield has a different opinion. He believes his production was more physically demanding because Abrams could move freely in Resident Evil, whereas the whale-stomach set restricted his movements. Duffield's assessment adds another layer to the friendly debate between the filmmakers and their shared leading actor.
Abrams, however, has maintained that both films had their own advantages and difficulties. The two projects also represent an eventful period in the actor's career, with Abrams taking on back-to-back major genre films that required very different physical performances. Resident Evil arrived in theatres on September 18, 2026, followed by Whalefall on October 16, 2026.
Final Take
Austin Abrams' refusal to declare a winner makes sense given the contrasting demands of Whalefall and Resident Evil. One production placed him inside a restrictive practical set, while the other tested his stamina through action sequences and night shoots. Although Brian Duffield believes Whalefall deserves the title of the tougher shoot, Abrams is still keeping his answer to himself.
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