Netflix confirms new crime thriller movie with Robert De Niro — and it’s already on my watchlist

Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
(Image credit: Netflix)

Robert De Niro’s new Netflix show ‘Zero Day’ continues to stick around the streaming service’s top 10 most-watched list several weeks after launch.

This popular series appears to be just the start of their collaboration as Netflix has announced the first details of an upcoming crime thriller movie that will feature the veteran actor in a key role.

The movie is called “‘The Whisper Man,” and if that name sounds a little bit familiar to you, it’s because it’s actually an adaptation of Alex North’s bestselling novel of the same name.

The initial details of this project have been outlined on Netflix's Tudum website, and it certainly sounds like a thriller flick with a lot of potential. The official logline reads:

“When his 8-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as 'The Whisper Man.'"

This Netflix movie is stacked with acting talent

I’m assuming De Niro will be playing the retired detective, but alongside him, Netflix has confirmed two other key cast members. This includes “Severance” star Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan, who is currently making quite an impression in the third season of HBO’s acclaimed anthology show “The White Lotus.”

As far as a trio goes, that’s a pretty exciting one. I’m particularly delighted to see Scott taking on another more serious role, and Monaghan has a track record in the crime thriller genre after featuring in 2007's "Gone Baby Gone."

Adam Scott as Mark S in Severance, in an elevator

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Behind the camera, James Ashcroft, whose new psychological thriller movie “The Rule of Jenny Pen” arrived in theaters last Friday (March 7), has been tapped to direct, while the novel will be adapted by writers Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer.

“The Whisper Man” also marks Netflix’s sixth partnership with the Russo brothers’ production company AGBO. Their fifth joint venture, sci-fi blockbuster “The Electric State,” debuts on the streaming platform this Friday (March 14), but the early reviews have been largely poor. The Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt movie currently has just 21% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Netflix is being cagey as to when the movie will be available to stream. So far, the streaming service has confirmed the movie will enter production this spring but hasn’t offered up even a vague release window. With production yet to begin, I suspect this might end up being a 2026 film.

Nevertheless, whenever “The Whisper Man” does arrive on Netflix, I’ll be streaming on day one. The combination of a fantastic cast and very well-received source material seems like a winning recipe on paper. Let’s just hope the final product can live up to the clear potential.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some Netflix picks you can watch now, the streamer just added a new psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Plus, we have a full roundup of everything new added to Netflix in March 2025, which includes plenty of options.

More from Tom's Guide

Rory Mellon
Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team. 

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Robert De Niro as George Mullen in "Zero Day"
Netflix's new political thriller just got an intense sneak peek clip — and it looks like my next binge-watch for 2025
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix just dropped first trailer for new thriller — and it’s one of my most anticipated shows of 2025
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix just dropped a new trailer for its upcoming political thriller — and now I can't wait to stream it
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in "Rip," coming soon to Netflix
Netflix drops first look at new crime thriller — and it’s one of my most anticipated movies of 2025
Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp and Randall Park as Edwin Park in "The Residence"
5 new Netflix shows I’ll be binge-watching in 2025
Robert De Niro as George Mullen in Episode 102 of "Zero Day."
Netflix just got a new thriller miniseries starring Robert De Niro and it's a must-watch
Latest in Netflix
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix confirms new crime thriller movie with Robert De Niro — and it’s already on my watchlist
Brian Cox as Tommy Tilden in "The Autopsy of Jane Doe"
Netflix is about to lose one of the most unpredictable dark thrillers I’ve ever watched — stream it while you still can
Josh Hartnett as Cooper in "Trap"
Netflix just got a twisting thriller movie that feels fresh — and there’s one thing about it that I love
Crystle Stewart as Mallory in Tyler Perry's "Beauty in Black" on Netflix
Tyler Perry’s suspenseful drama series just crashed the Netflix top 10 — and you can stream new episodes now
Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in "Running Point" now streaming on Netflix
Netflix top 10 shows — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Juana Acosta and Manolo Cardona in "Medusa" on Netflix
Netflix just got a new dramatic thriller show packed with mystery — and it’s already crashed the top 10
Latest in News
Nvidia RTX 5090
RTX 5060 breaks cover in Acer gaming PC — is Nvidia’s next GPU launch imminent?
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE renders
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 FE crushes its predecessor with 40% speed boost in leaked benchmark
The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix confirms new crime thriller movie with Robert De Niro — and it’s already on my watchlist
and image of the Google Chrome logo on a laptop
Google Chrome just updated its rules to stop future Honey scandals: here's what's changed
helen Hunt in "I See You"
One of the most mind-twisting psychological thrillers is streaming free right now — and it’s full of surprises