Alex North’s The Whisper Man is set to make its way to the screen, with Robert De Niro starring in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation. The film is directed by James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark) and will begin production this spring on the East Coast. There is high anticipation surrounding De Niro’s involvement.
“AGBO is excited to be embarking on our sixth film with our incredible partners at Netflix,” Angela Russo-Otstot, AGBO chief creative officer shared, “The Whisper Man is a gripping thriller but at its core is a poignant and complex story of father and sons. We are grateful to have one of the finest actors of his generation, Robert De Niro, anchoring that story and with the remarkable James Ashcroft directing.”
Published in 2019, and known for its eerie tension and emotional depth, The Whisper Man quickly became a bestseller. North, a pseudonymous British author, created a powerful psychological thriller that blends crime fiction with supernatural horror.
The novel follows Tom Kennedy and his young son, Jake, who move to the town of Featherbank for a fresh start after the death of Tom’s wife. But their arrival stirs up old wounds—decades earlier, a serial killer known as The Whisper Man abducted and murdered young boys, luring them by whispering outside their windows. When a new disappearance mirrors the past, Tom and Jake find themselves drawn into a terrifying mystery.
Inspired by real-life abduction cases, North’s novel delves into grief, father-son relationships, and the lasting scars of trauma. It earned critical acclaim, drawing comparisons to The Silence of the Lambs and Gone Girl, and was shortlisted for several major crime fiction awards.
Produced by AGBO, the production company founded by Anthony and Joe Russo. With De Niro in the lead, expectations are high for a gripping, atmospheric thriller that does justice to the novel’s unsettling themes. As of now, no official release date has been announced.
An avid book reader and proud library card holder, Angela is new to the world of e-Readers. She has a background in education, emergency response, fitness, loves to be in nature, traveling and exploring. With an honours science degree in anthropology, Angela also studied writing after graduation. She has contributed work to The London Free Press, The Gazette, The Londoner, Best Version Media, Lifeliner, and Citymedia.ca.