If you were captivated by the eerie island atmosphere of Apple TV's Widow's Bay, Netflix has a new six-episode horror series that will sink its hooks into you. Below, created by Jesse McKeown, trades dark comedy for deep-sea terror, but it shares the same DNA of isolated communities facing supernatural threats. And with only six episodes, it's the perfect weekend binge for anyone craving a chilling, thought-provoking ride.
What Is 'Below' About?
Set in the tight-knit Newfoundland village of Snook's Arm, Below follows Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a fisherman haunted by the traumatic death of his father decades ago. When a massive iceberg drifts into the harbor, it brings with it a mysterious deep-sea creature that threatens the town. Calvin teams up with marine biologist Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) to investigate the strange occurrences, but the terror lurking underwater is only the beginning. The series weaves together themes of grief, generational trauma, climate crisis, and corporate exploitation, all while delivering genuine scares.
The creature in Below serves as both a literal monster and a psychological manifestation of Calvin's inability to let go of the past. As a child, he was forced to sever the towline connecting his family's home to his father during a relocation, an impossible choice that changed him forever. Now, with the creature's resurgence, Calvin must confront his own demons to protect his eldest son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), from inheriting the same curse. The show brilliantly balances profound emotional stakes with atmospheric dread, making every moment count.
Why 'Below' Stands Out
What sets Below apart from other horror series is its authenticity. The show was filmed on location in Newfoundland, and McKeown drew inspiration from his own visits to the province. "It's such a unique landscape and so rugged, dangerous, isolated, and scary in a lot of ways," he told Variety. "But then there's also this other side to it — the community is so warm, and the people are so funny." That duality is captured perfectly on screen, with real locals rounding out the cast and adding to the show's lived-in feel. Even lighter moments, like newcomers being required to kiss a fish, provide levity amid the darkness.
The series also excels at building tension. Whether it's the town's ice supply taking a psychological toll or a submersible coming face-to-face with the underwater threat, Below maintains a near-perfect sense of dread. It's a slow burn that rewards patient viewers with shocking twists and a deeply resonant story about community and legacy. If you enjoyed the thematically weighty island horror of Midnight Mass and the supernatural mythology of Widow's Bay, Below completes the trifecta.
For those who appreciate horror that digs deeper than jump scares, Below is essential viewing. It's a reminder that the best genre stories use monsters to explore what truly haunts us. And with only six episodes, it's a quick but unforgettable plunge into icy waters. So if you're searching for your next binge, look no further — Below is waiting to pull you under.
If you're still catching up on the latest horror offerings, check out October's scariest new horror movies or dive into the sci-fi mystery that redefines horror. And for more streaming recommendations, see why Netflix's 'I Am Not Okay With This' is the Carrie story you need to binge.
