EXCLUSIVE: The director of The Whisper Man and the author discuss the creation of Netflix's unsettling thriller featuring Robert De Niro and Adam Scott.

      Netflix has released a gripping new crime thriller directed by James Ashcroft, titled The Whisper Man. Based on Alex North's novel, the film centers on a grieving crime writer, portrayed by Adam Scott of Severance fame, who turns to his father, a retired police detective played by Robert De Niro, for assistance in capturing a serial killer connected to the disappearance of his young son.

      In an interview with Digital Trends, Ashcroft and North discussed the creation of this dark and haunting crime thriller, highlighting its universal message about parenthood.

      This transcript has been condensed for brevity and clarity.

      Digital Trends: To begin, Alex, what inspired you to write The Whisper Man?

      North: Initially, I wanted to explore the relationship between fathers and sons, which was the primary focus for me. I had just become a father, but I was struggling to find a way to turn that into a crime thriller.

      After relocating, my son was around four years old at the time. I was in the kitchen when I heard him playing in the living room, so I peeked my head around the kitchen door to ask, “What are you doing?” He replied, “Oh, I’m just playing with the boy in the floor,” which sent a chill down my spine. We had just moved into the house, and I was hesitant to renovate. But my writer’s mind thought, “That’s intriguing.”

      That gave me chills. Perhaps it would resonate with others, and that became my entry point into the story. The young boy in the narrative has imaginary friends, some of whom may be quite frightening, leaving room for doubt about their reality.

      Digital Trends: James, you mentioned in an interview that you enjoy telling dark stories on film, and The Whisper Man is certainly unsettling. Was there a specific scene or plot element that compelled you to turn this into a movie?

      Ashcroft: Not a specific scene, but the overarching theme of fathers and sons really moved me. The exploration of various relationships throughout the book had a substantial impact.

      There were moments that stuck with me, such as the scene with the hand coming through the mail slot in the door. It’s a rather innocuous moment, nothing violent happens, but it’s the implication of intrusion into one’s safe space that I found powerful. That theme is prevalent throughout the novel.

      Digital Trends: Were there any films that influenced you while making The Whisper Man? Did you draw inspiration from other crime thrillers in crafting the film's world?

      Ashcroft: I was raised on films like Silence of the Lambs and Se7en, which had a significant impact on me. Also, Zodiac, which explores true crime. I was familiar with that genre.

      However, one thing I aimed to maintain, which stemmed from the novel and the script, was that this story is character-driven. It’s an actor-driven narrative, and I felt these were roles that would attract incredible talent due to their depth. I believe that set this film apart from many others in the genre I had seen.

      Digital Trends: Definitely. The cast is impressive, featuring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Hamish Linklater, Michael Keaton, and Owen Teague. What was the experience like working with such prominent actors?

      Ashcroft: It was honestly like playtime. Everyone was at the peak of their craft. They all contributed to the same vision of the film and were incredibly generous with one another.

      We operated as an ensemble, allowing each actor to explore different aspects of their talent that they might not usually get to showcase. I felt a tremendous sense of trust from them, as they were also keen to excel individually. It was wonderful to provide actors with that opportunity.

      Digital Trends: Alex, did you collaborate with James and the other screenwriters to adapt the book into a film? How involved were you in the filmmaking process?

      North: I was involved just the right amount for me, which was enough to be included without being overwhelmed. I met Ben [Jacoby] early on, and we had discussions. Later, Chase [Palmer] joined, and I reviewed various drafts over the years, offering a few comments. I'm well aware that I'm a book author, not a screenwriter, so I kept my input minimal.

      However, every draft I saw maintained the essence of the book: the themes of fathers and sons and the various ways trauma can be passed down. So, my contribution was slight; I mostly just observed the talented team do their impressive work.

      Digital Trends: Great. And James, what was the most challenging or darkest scene to film in this movie?

      Ashcroft: You would probably think we were filming a comedy if you joined us on set, given the amount of laughter and lightheartedness. It was essential to maintain a positive atmosphere during such heavy work so everyone could perform at their best.

      There was a day when we filmed the discovery of a young boy who had fallen