There's something primal about the fear of what lurks beneath the waves. From Jaws to The Meg, cinema has long tapped into our collective dread of the deep. But Netflix's new limited series Below takes that familiar setup and gives it a surprising twist: it's less about the monster and more about the people staring into the abyss.
Created by Jesse McKeown, Below unfolds over six tight episodes, all of which were screened for critics. The show follows Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a third-generation fisherman in the remote Newfoundland town of Snook's Arm. Calvin is a widower raising three adult children: Mary (Ruby Stokes), who dreams of escaping small-town life; Jay (Rohan Campbell), whose financial recklessness is catching up with him; and Wade (Charlie Heaton), who hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. When a massive iceberg drifts into the harbor during the town's 'Come Home Year' celebration, it brings more than just a tourist boost—it brings a deadly sea creature that starts picking off locals and visitors alike.
What sets Below apart from typical creature features is its focus on character and place. The series was filmed on location in Newfoundland, and that authenticity seeps into every frame. The accents, the rugged coastline, the tight-knit community—all of it makes Snook's Arm feel like a character in its own right. The show even casts actual locals, which makes the arrival of outsiders feel like a genuine intrusion, more unsettling than the monster itself.
Hartnett, who has been enjoying a career resurgence, anchors the series with a performance that balances stubborn pride with buried grief. Heaton, best known for Stranger Things, brings a mix of earnestness and desperation to Wade, while Stokes and Campbell add depth to their roles as siblings torn between loyalty and ambition. Mackenzie Davis appears as a marine zoologist who teams up with Calvin to investigate the attacks, adding a rational counterpoint to the town's growing superstition.
But Below isn't just about survival. It's about legacy—what we inherit, what we choose to pass on, and what we're willing to sacrifice to protect our home. The creature, when it does appear, is less a villain than a catalyst, forcing the characters to confront their own fears and failings. The show's brisk runtime means it never drags, but it also means some of its deeper themes are only skimmed. Still, for viewers looking for a thriller that offers more than just jump scares, Below delivers.
If you're in the mood for more Netflix originals, you might also want to check out the Spanish mystery that's dominating the charts or Matt Damon's Oscar-winning crime thriller now streaming on HBO Max. And for those who prefer their horror with a side of body horror, this ranked list of the most disturbing body horror films is a must-read.
Ultimately, Below is a quiet, character-driven thriller that uses its monster premise to explore something more human. It's a welcome addition to Netflix's slate of original series, and a testament to Hartnett's range as an actor. Whether you're a fan of creature features or family dramas, this one is worth diving into.
