Netflix’s Biggest Thriller of the Summer Is The Silence of the Lambs for Severance Fans

As summer winds down, Netflix is getting ready to trade the season’s blockbuster fare for something darker. Arriving just before Labor Day, The Whisper Man is a serial killer thriller that could appeal especially to fans of Severance and classic psychological crime films.

Based on Alex North’s novel and directed by New Zealand filmmaker James Ashcroft, the film stars Severance’s Adam Scott as a crime writer whose life takes a horrifying turn when his son is kidnapped. He joins forces with his retired-cop father, played by Robert De Niro, in an effort to find the boy.

Their search eventually leads them back to a serial killer known as The Whisper Man, who was convicted decades earlier. As they uncover more about the case, the investigation also brings the complicated relationship between father and son to the forefront.

The cast includes Michelle Monaghan, Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Luca Porto, and Will Brill alongside Scott and De Niro.

For Polygon’s 2026 Summer Preview, Ashcroft discussed what drew him to the project, working with the film’s three leads, and the thrillers that helped shape The Whisper Man.

Why James Ashcroft Wanted to Make The Whisper Man

Ashcroft says his connection to the story began with an unexpected coincidence. His wife had given him Alex North’s novel as a gift around the same time he received the screenplay.

He took the timing as a good sign, but it was ultimately the story’s focus on family that convinced him to take the project.

“As a parent and a son,” the relationships at the center of the story resonated with Ashcroft. The film explores fathers and sons, acceptance, and the idea that everything people experience ultimately becomes part of who they are.

For Ashcroft, the story also carries a broader message about family. Both the good and bad things in people’s lives can have their roots in the home.

Those themes stood apart from what he normally expected from the thriller genre. The opportunity to explore those relationships and emotions was what drew him further into the project.

Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan

The film brings together Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan in roles that, according to Ashcroft, allow all three actors to explore territory audiences may not typically associate with them.

Their different approaches to acting helped create what he describes as a particularly strong dynamic. Despite those differences, Ashcroft found a shared sense of curiosity and generosity in their work.

He also praised all three performers for being at the height of their abilities, while adding that they were “damn good human beings” as well.

Adam Scott Was Cast Before Severance

It may be tempting to assume Adam Scott’s role in Severance led directly to his casting in The Whisper Man. Ashcroft, however, says he had wanted Scott for the project long before watching the Apple TV+ series.

He was already impressed by Scott’s range in Parks & Recreation and Big Little Lies. More broadly, Ashcroft had long admired the actor’s subtlety and emotional range.

What particularly appealed to him was Scott’s ability to leave a lasting impression through his performances. Ashcroft described it as the point when an actor becomes inseparable from the voice and personality of the characters they play.

That was already happening in his imagination while reading The Whisper Man’s script. He could picture Scott as the story’s mystery unfolded and hear his voice in the film’s conversations.

Five Thrillers to Watch Before The Whisper Man

Ashcroft pointed to several films that influenced the territory explored in The Whisper Man.

The Silence of the Lambs and Prisoners were major reference points, both in terms of inspiration and the themes the filmmakers wanted to explore.

He also highlighted Memories of Murder and Se7en, along with two less frequently discussed thrillers: Jennifer 8 and The Pledge.

What connects those films for Ashcroft is their emphasis on character, complicated relationships, and standout performances. Those qualities left a lasting impression on him and helped inform his approach to The Whisper Man.

The Whisper Man arrives on Netflix on Aug. 28.