Adam Scott, widely recognized for his role as Ben Wyatt in 'Parks and Recreation', has significantly expanded his cinematic repertoire in recent years with critically acclaimed projects. His notable work includes the Apple TV series 'Severance', where he earned Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Mark Scout across two seasons, with a third season confirmed and expected to begin shooting later this summer. Scott has also ventured into the horror genre, starring in 'Hokum', which has garnered praise as a modern horror masterpiece and one of the scariest movies of the year.

Adding to his impressive filmography, Scott is slated to star in 'The Whisper Man', a new Netflix psychological crime thriller. The film, set for release on August 28, 2026, features a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro and Michelle Monaghan. Written by Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer and directed by James Ashcroft, the narrative centers on a widowed crime writer, played by Adam Scott, who seeks help from his estranged, retired police detective father after his son is kidnapped. Their investigation uncovers a chilling connection to the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as "The Whisper Man." The cast further includes Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Acston Luca Porto, and Will Brill. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco, and Kassee Whiting serve as producers, with Marcus Viscidi, Tim Connors, and Alex Leb as executive producers. The film has a runtime of 106 minutes.

Director James Ashcroft, whose previous works include 'Coming Home in the Dark' (2021) and 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' (2024), shared insights into his experience working on 'The Whisper Man'. He emphasized his theatrical background, fostering a collaborative environment where he balances leading with allowing space for others. Ashcroft revealed his focus isn't merely on balancing a star-studded cast, but on ensuring each role makes a significant impact on the story and audience. He believes every role, from lead actors to day players, must possess a potency and three-dimensionality that hints at an inner life, making an indelible impression.

Ashcroft also addressed the challenges of directing a film with a larger ensemble, scale, and budget compared to his earlier independent projects. He found that the pressures of managing time and resources remain consistent regardless of the film's size, though larger productions involve more layers, which required some adjustment and at times impacted the spontaneity he enjoyed in smaller films. Despite occasionally yearning for the flexibility of independent filmmaking, he viewed navigating these new parameters as an invitation for creative problem-solving.

Regarding 'The Whisper Man's' exclusive streaming release on Netflix, a decision made since Netflix acquired the rights in 2022, Ashcroft confirmed it did not alter his creative approach. As a "child of the cinema," he maintains faith in the intelligence of audiences, believing they are capable of comprehending and desiring a cinematic approach to storytelling, irrespective of whether they experience a film in theaters or through streaming services.