If you are looking for a gritty, ultra-serious sci-fi drama, Netflix's new supernatural thriller Below might not be what you expect. Instead, this six-part series delivers a gloriously ridiculous, action-packed monster hunt set in a foggy Newfoundland fishing town. It is part Stranger Things, part The Thing, and entirely unhinged.
What is 'Below' About?
The show takes place in Snook’s Arm, a struggling coastal community facing economic ruin and a looming government resettlement program. Things go from bad to worse when a massive, bizarre iceberg suddenly appears in the harbor.
But this isn't just ice. According to local scientists, it is actually a giant frozen "mucous membrane" (yes, sea snot) left behind by an ancient, giant squid. Awakened by thawing Arctic permafrost, the massive cephalopod begins terrorizing the town, marking its territory, and dragging unsuspecting trawlermen into the depths.
A Star-Studded Cast Battling the Deep
Below boasts an impressive, rugged cast led by Josh Hartnett (Oppenheimer) playing Calvin Penney, a ripped family patriarch trying to make sense of the chaos. Joining him is Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as Wade, a twitchy young local with a thick accent, and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven) as Dr. Fonda Howander, the resident scientist delivering the hilariously absurd exposition.
The series, created by Jesse McKeown, leans heavily into nostalgic 70s-90s horror tropes. Viewers can expect plenty of plaid shirts, roaring motorbikes, cable-knit sweaters, and gory practical-looking effects that pay homage to classic creature features like John Carpenter's The Fog.
The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time?
While Below flirts with deeper themes like climate change and environmental breakdown, these heavy concepts ultimately take a back seat to B-movie fun. The show prioritizes campy thrills, exploding monster viscera, and daft entertainment over heavy-handed messaging.
If you want a fun, fast-paced thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously, Below delivers exactly the kind of nostalgic, monster-filled escape you need for a weekend binge.
