Idris Elba is having a banner year, and he's not slowing down. After dominating streaming with Masters of the Universe and the second season of Hijack, the 54-year-old actor is set to deliver a tense, claustrophobic sci-fi thriller that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Above The Below, which Elba co-directed with Martin Owen, is coming to theaters on December 4, and Lionsgate has just unveiled the first batch of images from the film.
The movie stars Elba alongside Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Young Sherlock) and Caitlin Fitzgerald. With a tight 85-minute runtime and an R rating, it's designed to be a lean, mean thriller. The story follows three astronauts who survive a catastrophic fall from space, only to find themselves trapped in the crushing depths of the ocean with oxygen running out fast. They must make impossible choices about who will risk everything to reach the surface—and who gets left behind.
Elba is no stranger to high-stakes action, but Above The Below offers something different: a deeply practical, immersive experience. In an exclusive chat with Collider, Elba revealed that the production built an actual spacecraft and submerged it in water, shooting much of the film underwater. "There's a real practicality to this film that adds to the claustrophobia and the thriller aspect of it," he said. "I'm really excited for people to literally go on that journey with us, from space to the ocean, and be entertained, be thrilled, and be claustrophobic."
Elba also opened up about his dual role as co-director, a position he's embracing after his second directorial outing. "The concept for me was exciting just because it was contained—it's three human beings facing adversity, and an observation of how they have to deal with each other and work together, or not," he explained. "I was really attracted to the containment, and being able to direct was also really exciting for me." He praised his collaboration with Owen, calling it "a true collaboration" and a lot of fun.
Owen, who came up with the idea for the film, shared the origin story: "The concept actually came to me in a dream; I was falling through space and then tumbling towards the sea before sinking into the darkness. I woke up, and immediately the experience formulated the idea for Above The Below." He entrusted the story to writers Elizabeth Morris, Matthew Mitchell, and Vicki Sargent, who crafted the screenplay.
Owen had high praise for Elba both in front of and behind the camera. "He has the unique ability to give his characters an everyman, relatable quality with their own flaws—this really allows an audience to imagine themselves in his shoes," Owen said. "We needed an actor of Idris' talent to make an astronaut feel relatable." He also lauded Elba's directorial instincts: "Behind the camera he brings such bold and nuanced ideas, but never at the expense of a collaborative approach—which makes the process so seamless."
For fans of thriller sagas and high-concept sci-fi, Above The Below is shaping up to be a must-see. The film's premise—survival against impossible odds in a hostile environment—echoes the tension of other recent thrillers that have found new life on streaming platforms. But with Elba's star power and the immersive underwater shooting, this one promises to be a unique theatrical experience.
Check out the new images from Above The Below and stay tuned for more updates on Idris Elba's upcoming projects. The film hits theaters on December 4.
