Dafne Keen first gained recognition for her impressive role as X-23 in the critically acclaimed film Logan, which many still consider a top superhero movie. Since then, she’s continued to build her career with leading roles in the TV series His Dark Materials and an appearance in The Acolyte, bringing her into the world of Star Wars. Her newest project, Whistle, marks her first foray into horror, giving her a chance to showcase different acting skills. She’s joined by Sophie Nélisse, known for her work in Yellowjackets, in this thrilling and classic high school horror story.
The movie Whistle centers around Chrys, a teenager dealing with her father’s death who goes to live with her cousin. As she tries to adjust to a new town, Chrys discovers an ancient, Aztec whistle shaped like a skull. This whistle turns out to be cursed, and soon Chrys and her friends are facing a dangerous, unknown threat. While the whistle provides an interesting premise, the movie relies heavily on common horror themes and doesn’t explore deeper ideas. Despite strong performances and solid directing, Whistle doesn’t take enough risks to truly stand out.
Rating: 3/5
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Magnetic performances by Dafne Keen and Sophie Nélisse | Clichéd character tropes |
| Creative kill sequences | Culturally clumsy mythology |
| High-end visual style | Shallow narrative depth |
| Flawed internal logic |
How Whistle Echoes Final Destination‘s Narrative Structure
The trailers for Whistle reveal that the film’s central object causes the death of anyone who hears its eerie sound. Because everyone is meant to die in a unique way, death appears in many frightening forms, often years – or even decades – before it would naturally occur. This concept is the strongest part of Owen Egerton’s screenplay, allowing for inventive and terrifying death scenes as victims struggle against their unavoidable destinies. Director Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the overlooked The Nun, also understands how to blend practical effects with digital ones to deliver the kind of visually striking horror that audiences enjoy seeing on the big screen.
Because of its similar premise to Final Destination, Whistle inevitably invites comparison. Both films feature a supernatural killer targeting high school students, with the teens desperately trying to outsmart fate. However, this comparison highlights Whistle‘s weaknesses. While the movie effectively portrays the killings, its explanation for why these events are happening – involving an ancient whistle – isn’t consistent, making it hard to believe the story.
The movie’s use of the whistle feels disrespectful to Aztec beliefs, bordering on a harmful portrayal of their culture. It’s also hard to accept that anyone would intentionally create an object designed to curse whoever possesses it, even within a fictional story. The film establishes that each victim faces a personalized death, but frustratingly doesn’t explain why the victims torment each other in turn. Furthermore, the movie strains believability by having almost everyone in town except the main group of teenagers remain unaware of the strange deaths. While it’s reasonable that adults wouldn’t consider a supernatural explanation, it’s unbelievable that the authorities wouldn’t be at least confused by the increasingly bizarre and impossible bodies they discover.
Egerton’s film, Whistle, suffers from a plot that feels trapped, prioritizing style over substance. A bit more work on the script could have helped. The movie also leans heavily on predictable high school stereotypes – the athlete, the underdog, and the bully – which, while nostalgic for some, might feel unoriginal. It evokes a sense of déjà vu, as if you’ve seen this story many times before.
Whistle‘s Performances Hold It Together
Beyond its impressive visuals, Whistle benefits from a strong cast, with Mallory Keen and Lyne Renée Nélisse standing out. However, the film’s script holds the actors back; Nélisse’s character, Ellie, lacks a fully developed backstory or clear motivations. Keen’s Chrys is established as a perfect counterpoint to death, but the script doesn’t allow her to explore the deeper meaning of her role. Despite these limitations, both actresses deliver compelling performances, and their romantic connection adds emotional weight to the story.
Ultimately, Whistle shows a lot of potential but doesn’t quite deliver on it. While the story has some predictable parts and simplifies certain cultural aspects, the strong chemistry between the two lead actors makes it enjoyable to watch. It’s a slick, well-performed horror film that highlights the talent of Keen and Nélisse. If you’re willing to overlook some plot holes, you’ll find enough suspense and thrills to satisfy your craving for a scary movie—just don’t expect it to be truly unforgettable.
Whistle premieres exclusively on thetaers this Friday, February 6th.
Are you planning to see Whistle in movie theaters? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- DCU Nightwing Contender Addresses Casting Rumors & Reveals His Other Dream DC Role [Exclusive]
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- 7 Home Alone Moments That Still Make No Sense (And #2 Is a Plot Hole)
- 10 X-Men Batman Could Beat (Ranked By How Hard It’d Be)
- Stephen Colbert Jokes This Could Be Next Job After Late Show Canceled
- Is XRP ETF the New Stock Market Rockstar? Find Out Why Everyone’s Obsessed!
- Order of the Sinking Star – Arc Games and Thekla Unveil Narrative Puzzle Adventure for 2026
- Resident Evil 4: Why the Wii Version Still Shines 18 Years Later
- XRP’s Million-Dollar Waltz & SUBBD’s Token Tango 🕺💸
2026-02-04 15:10