Robert De Niro's upcoming Netflix thriller comes from a critically acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker

Another thriller based on a bestselling thriller novel is on the way to its digital premiere on Netflix soon. "The Whisper Man", an American crime thriller film starring Robert De Niro ("Goodfellas") and Adam Scott ("Severance"), will be landing on the platform on August 28, 2026.

Directed by James Ashcroft, it is an adaptation of the 2019 New York Times bestselling psychological horror novel written by author Alex North.

Produced by the Russo Brothers' AGBO production company, the adaptation features a star-studded ensemble cast comprising Robert De Niro, Adam Scott (playing Tom Kennedy), Michael Keaton, Michelle Monaghan, Hamish Linklater, and Owen Teague.

As per the official logline, "The Whisper Man" follows Tom Kennedy, a widowed crime writer trying to make a fresh start with his young son, Jake, following the sudden death of his wife. They move to the sleepy town of Featherbank, a place plagued by a dark history. Twenty years prior, a notorious serial killer named Frank Carter stalked the area. Dubbed "The Whisper Man," Carter lured young boys out of their homes by whispering at their windows at night. Just as Tom and Jake settle in, another young boy vanishes under circumstances mirroring Carter’s old crimes, sparking fears of a copycat or an accomplice. When Jake starts hearing a soft voice tapping and whispering at his window, Tom must enlist the help of his estranged father — the retired detective who caught the original killer decades ago — to save his son.

Upon its release in June 2019, Alex North’s novel (his first) was a massive critical and commercial success, rapidly becoming a New York Times bestseller. The source material was highly praised across the literary community for its unique ability to blend a terrifying, supernatural atmosphere with a traditional, grounded crime police procedural.

James Ashcroft is a prominent New Zealand film director, screenwriter, producer, and former actor known for his work in the psychological thriller and horror genres. He gained widespread international recognition following his feature directorial debut with the brutal thriller "Coming Home in the Dark" (2021), a tense road-trip nightmare adapted from an Owen Marshall short story. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and caught the attention of major Hollywood studios. He followed it up with "The Rule of Jenny Pen" (2024), a psychological thriller starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, also adapted from an Owen Marshall short story.