Killer Whale

Synopsis

Maddie, a gifted cellist, is struggling to recover from a tragedy: her friend Chad is killed protecting her during a robbery. The accidental discharge of a gun during the robbery also leaves Maddie hearing-impaired and requiring a hearing aid. To help her overcome her grief, her best friend Trish—a PhD student researching gene editing and a social media influencer—plans a surprise for her: a luxury vacation to Thailand. After showing off his waterproof phone to Maddie, Trish persuades her to visit a local attraction themed around the captive orca, Seto. Maddie disapproves of the practice and refuses to provide any financial support to the attraction. However, later that night, Trish, Maddie, and a foreigner named Josh, drunk, wander into Seto’s water park. Maddie is excited to see Seto through the viewing window, but she is horrified when a cleaner falls into the pool and is killed by Seto. The three flee the scene, while the park management decides to release Seto back into the sea. The next morning, the three decided to explore a remote atoll lagoon surrounded by sea stacks, said to be haunted by locals. Their adventure turned into a nightmare: Josh and Trish were ambushed by Seto while riding a jet ski. Could they escape Seto’s ambush?

Trailer

Characters

Virginia Gardner

Virginia Gardner is an American actress who played Karolina Dean in the Hulu original series Marvel’s Runaways (2017–2019), Vicky in David Gordon Green’s horror film Halloween (2018) and Shiloh Hunter in Lionsgate’s survival film Fall (2022).In Killer Whale as Maddie, an aspiring cellist recovering from a personal tragedy.

Mel Jarnson

Mel Jarnson was born in Bangkok to an Australian mother and a Thai father. She spent a large amount of her childhood in India and Belgium. She had lived in 6 different countries mainly attending French international schools. Due to the constant moving she said she struggled with her Thai-Australian identity. She is fluent in French, English and Thai. She moved to Australia in 2016 where she says she feels settled.In Killer Whale as Trish Stevens, Maddie’s best friend and a scientist.

Mitchell Hope

Mitchell Hope (born 27 June 1994) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his role as Ben in the first three movies of the Descendants franchise and voiced the character in animated productions.He also starred in the 2021 Australian comedy film Love You Like That, and was part of the ensemble cast of Let It Snow.In Killer Whale as Josh, an expat who joins the friends on their trip.

Isaac Crawley

Isaac CrawleyIsaac was born on February 5, 1995 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. He is an actor, known for Killer Whale (2026), Christmas Neeve. In Killer Whale as Chad, Maddie’s deceased friend and crush.

Film Director

Jo-Anne Brechin

As an AFTRS graduate and queer, neurodivergent, award-winning writer and director, Jo-Anne brings bold stories to life on both the big and small screen.
Named “Young Filmmaker of the Year” at Cockatoo Island Film Festival and one of Screen Queensland’s HOTSHOTS in 2024, Jo-Anne’s work has played on Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Hallmark, SONY-Great American Channel, ABC, SBS and has screened at film festivals across Australia and around the world, including GBiennale21, MIFF, CinefestOz, Byron Bay, Gold Coast Film Fest and in competition at the Academy-Accredited Flickerfest.