The Whisper Man

Contrary to the hushed tones of its enigmatic title character, it’s fine to speak loudly about how The Whisper Man squanders a talented cast.

This pulpy crime thriller is a slick, workmanlike effort from Kiwi director James Ashcroft (The Rule of Jenny Pen) that seems overall cliched and uninspired, not allowing for much underlying emotional depth beneath the procedural surface.

The story opens with a New Jersey police detective (Michelle Monaghan) investigating the disappearance of a young boy, which leads to the discovery of a dead body, and clues that suggest a copycat for a serial killer from decades ago known as the Whisper Man.

Meanwhile, widowed author Tom (Adam Scott) is relocating to the area for a fresh start with his young son (Acston Luca Porto), who is dealing with psychological trauma after his mother’s death and begins having hallucinations, much to Tom’s chagrin.

After the youngster goes missing, Tom is forced to reconnect with his estranged father, Pete (Robert De Niro), a retired cop who oversaw the initial Whisper Man case and remains haunted by it.

At first, Tom’s not interested in a sentimental reunion. “I don’t need your emotional support,” he barks. “I need you to find my boy.”

Tom’s distrust of his father and the authorities in general, coupled with his own guilt and desperation, prompt him to go rogue. But he knows he’ll have to eventually team up with Pete, who carries his own baggage. Delving further into the lurid details behind the mystery, they realize the answers might hit uncomfortably close to home.

The screenplay, adapted from a novel by pseudonymous British author Alex North, struggles to generate consistent suspense while employing a usual array of red herrings and narrative detours.

Some of the expository dialogue is wooden to the point of distraction, before the intrigue picks up once the parallel storylines merge. Tense exchanges between De Niro and Michael Keaton — playing the suspected mastermind behind bars — are a highlight.

The film dabbles in themes such as addiction, parental regret, and fractured family dynamics, but without enough conviction to resonate or substantively enhance the plot.

The actors make the most of the mediocre material, although The Whisper Man is noteworthy primarily for its twists more likely to get eyes rolling than blood pumping.

Rated R, 111 minutes.