Adam Scott Stars in Netflix's Creepy New Serial Killer Flick

Adam Scott stars as Tom Kennedy, a crime thriller novelist, in James Ashcroft's "The Whisper Man." The film follows Tom as he returns to his hometown after his wife's death, only for his young son, Jake, to be abducted by a serial killer known as The Whisper Man. This reignites a cold case previously investigated by Tom's estranged father, Pete Willis (Robert De Niro), who had apprehended the original murderer decades ago.

Teaming up with Detective Amanda Beck (Michelle Monaghan), Tom and Pete attempt to unravel a mystery they believed was solved. The film draws comparisons to 1990s thrillers like "Jennifer 8" and "The Bone Collector," aiming for a moody, old-fashioned airport novel feel. While the ensemble cast, including Michael Keaton and Hamish Linklater, deliver compelling performances, the material itself is described as less juicy than director Ashcroft's previous work.

"The Whisper Man" is characterized by its atmosphere, with parts deemed "super-duper creepy." However, the narrative's puzzles are considered mildly surprising to disappointingly predictable, suggesting that attentive viewers might uncover the mysteries easily. The film's deliberate pacing, a departure from the genre's typical mid-film set pieces, contributes to a low-flame tension that lacks the intense climax some audiences might expect.

Ultimately, "The Whisper Man" is presented as a "not bad" addition to the serial killer thriller genre, offering a welcome throwback to an era when such films were more commonplace. Despite its solid execution and respectable cast, it falls short of greatness, with its strengths lying more in its creepy ambiance than in groundbreaking plot twists.