In the ever-shifting tides of streaming, a film that once sank without a trace can suddenly resurface and find its audience. That's exactly what's happening with Underwater, the 2020 sci-fi thriller starring Kristen Stewart, which has clawed its way back into the spotlight and is now riding a wave of popularity on Prime Video this October.
Directed by William Eubank, Underwater wears its Alien influences proudly on its sleeve. The story follows a team of deep-sea researchers who must traverse the ocean floor after their underwater drilling station collapses, only to encounter something far more terrifying than the crushing pressure. It's a claustrophobic, creature-feature homage that, despite its pedigree, initially drowned at the box office.
Released in January 2020, the film faced an uphill battle from the start. It grossed a modest $40 million worldwide against a reported $65 million budget, with only $17 million coming from domestic theaters. That was a weaker showing than comparable sci-fi thrillers like Life and Annihilation. But in the years since, Underwater has quietly built a cult following, and now it's experiencing a full-blown streaming renaissance.
According to FlixPatrol, Underwater has surged to the top of Prime Video's most-watched movies chart in the U.S. this week. The timing is no coincidence: the spike coincides with the theatrical release of Whalefall, a new underwater survival thriller written and directed by Brian Duffield, who also co-wrote Underwater. Fans of the genre are clearly diving back into the original while catching the new one in theaters.
This resurgence is a testament to the film's staying power, even if critics were lukewarm at the time. Underwater holds a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus noting its derivative story but praising its strong cast and stylish direction. Stewart delivers a compelling lead performance, supported by Vincent Cassel, and Eubank's direction creates a palpable sense of dread and isolation.
The Alien franchise itself remains in a state of flux. Ridley Scott, who directed the original classic and its prequels, has expressed indifference toward Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus and seems eager to reclaim the series. Meanwhile, fans are left to speculate about what's next. In the meantime, they're finding solace in Underwater, which offers a satisfying fix of deep-space horror transplanted to the ocean floor.
If you're in the mood for more underwater or sci-fi thrills, there are plenty of options. For a gripping Apple TV+ thriller, check out Last Seen. Or if you prefer fast-paced action, dive into these Netflix thrillers that never hit the brakes. And for a classic with a twist, Gran Torino is hitting streaming this October with a John Wick-style edge.
As Underwater proves, sometimes a film just needs the right current to carry it to a new audience. With Whalefall making waves in theaters, now is the perfect time to stream Underwater and see what all the fuss is about. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other streaming sensations.
