Brian Duffield is an acclaimed writer, director and producer known for blending bold genre concepts with emotionally grounded, character-driven storytelling. His latest film, WHALEFALL, is an epic survival thriller from 20th Century Studios and Imagine Entertainment, based on Daniel Kraus’ bestselling novel. Duffield directs, produces and co-wrote the screenplay with Kraus. Starring Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd, the film opens exclusively in theaters October 16, 2026.

Duffield previously wrote, directed and produced NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU, the critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller starring Kaitlyn Dever. Told with almost no dialogue, the film earned Duffield a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for his screenplay and received a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Movie Made for Television, with Dever also nominated for Best Actress. The film was widely praised for its inventive approach to genre filmmaking and its intimate exploration of grief, isolation and forgiveness.

Duffield made his feature directorial debut with SPONTANEOUS, the acclaimed genre-bending coming-of-age film starring Katherine Langford and Charlie Plummer. Adapted by Duffield from Aaron Starmer’s novel, the film blends romance, comedy and horror and earned widespread critical praise, including a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Prior to directing, Duffield established himself as one of the industry’s most distinctive genre screenwriters, with credits including THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT, THE BABYSITTER, UNDERWATER and
LOVE AND MONSTERS. His producing credits include COCAINE BEAR and BORDERLINE, and he created and executive produced the animated series SKULL ISLAND.