Robert De Niro reflects on playing a detective at The Whisper Man premiere ahead of Netflix release
Robert De Niro returned to familiar territory at the premiere of The Whisper Man, opening up about portraying a retired detective in the upcoming Netflix thriller while also sharing his thoughts on Hollywood’s changing film industry and politics.
The 83-year-old actor and producer attended a special screening of the film in New York on Monday, August 24, where he joined fellow cast members ahead of the movie’s release on Netflix later this month.
De Niro on stepping back into a detective role
Few actors have become as closely associated with crime dramas as Robert De Niro, and his latest role continues that tradition.
In The Whisper Man, De Niro plays Pete Willis, a retired police detective who becomes involved in a terrifying kidnapping investigation connected to a decades-old serial killer case.
Speaking about the character during the premiere, De Niro explained that playing a detective comes with a particular mindset. He said detectives tend to be naturally more skeptical of others because their experience has taught them that people are not always truthful.
That instinct becomes a defining part of Pete Willis as he helps uncover the mystery surrounding the disappearance of his grandson.
Thoughts on Hollywood’s changing landscape
Beyond discussing the film itself, De Niro also addressed the current state of the movie business.
The legendary actor acknowledged that the industry is going through significant changes, noting that some developments are beyond anyone’s control while others are not.
Referring to the ongoing situation involving Paramount and Warner Bros., De Niro said he personally does not believe a merger between the two companies would be a good idea.
During the same conversation, he also touched on staying active after celebrating his 83rd birthday and reflected on the upcoming 50th anniversary of his iconic film Taxi Driver, one of the performances that helped define his remarkable career.
De Niro criticizes Donald Trump
Politics also entered the conversation during De Niro’s appearance alongside Adam Scott.
In an interview with USA Today conducted ahead of the release of The Whisper Man, the two-time Academy Award winner once again voiced his criticism of Donald Trump, referring to him as “a cult.”
De Niro has long been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics in Hollywood and discussed political issues alongside his latest film during the interview.
What is The Whisper Man about?
Based on the bestselling novel by Alex North, The Whisper Man follows widowed crime writer Tom Kennedy, played by Adam Scott, whose life is shattered when his 8-year-old son is abducted.
Desperate for answers, Tom turns to his estranged father, Pete Willis, a retired police detective portrayed by Robert De Niro. As the investigation unfolds, they discover a disturbing connection to the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as the Whisper Man.
The psychological crime thriller explores the devastating impact of the kidnapping while unraveling the chilling mystery linking the family’s tragedy to a notorious criminal from the past.
Release date and cast
The Whisper Man will begin streaming on Netflix on August 28.
The film features an acclaimed ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Michael Keaton, Owen Teague, Hamish Linklater, John Carroll Lynch, Acston Luca Porto, and others, bringing Alex North’s haunting mystery to the screen in one of Netflix’s major thriller releases of August.