Netflix’s new limited series “Below” harnesses the ominous vastness of the ocean to tell a story that is as much about human nature as it is about the unknown depths. Creator Jesse McKeown sets the narrative in a small Newfoundland town, following a man burdened by past trauma and a family striving for a future amid an irreparable climate crisis. The result is a perfectly paced thriller that moves beyond simple creature-feature mythology to deliver deeply intriguing and occasionally terrifying storytelling.
The series begins in 1986, where nine-year-old Calvin Penney, played by Azriel Dalman, moves with his family from Little Pot Rock to the larger island of Snook’s Arm. During a boat journey towing their house, a mysterious incident forces young Calvin to sever the connection, resulting in his father’s drowning. Forty years later, adult Calvin (Josh Hartnett) remains haunted by the event, yet he maintains an affable and hardworking demeanor as a widower.
In the present day, local fishing has collapsed, so Calvin and his son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), survive by harvesting ice for a vodka brewery and operating an Airbnb. Calvin is particularly eager to celebrate “Come Home Year,” welcoming his children Mary (Ruby Stokes) and Jay (Rohan Campbell) back to the island. However, the reunion faces immediate challenges when the brewery rejects Calvin’s ice shipment due to a foul odor. This discovery leads him to Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis), who oversees the local science center. Tensions escalate when Wade, who uses alcohol and mushrooms to manage his ADHD, suffers a horrific accident, and residents of Snook’s Cove begin behaving strangely, prompting Calvin and Fonda to suspect something is lurking in the water.
Aside from Hartnett’s amusing attempt at a Newfoundland accent, the series is a gripping watch. McKeown paints a vivid picture of an eroding but tight-knit community, with Calvin determined to save it despite dwindling resources. While Calvin’s children and sister Ruth (Willow Kean), the harbor master, recognize the scarcity of opportunities, Calvin refuses to let go. The chaos intensifies when a massive iceberg surfaces, leading Calvin to suspect a link to his father’s decades-old accident.
Comprised of just six episodes, each under 45 minutes, “Below” offers more than just a horrifying sea creature at its core. It explores a man’s desperation to cling to a decaying past, the dynamics of a grieving family, and how greed can manifest as monsters. Episode 4, titled “The Ocean Will Have Us All,” is particularly riveting, examining the lengths people will go for selfish gain and the sacrifices they make. The gut-wrenching displays of inhumanity in the episode’s final minutes find context in the penultimate installment, “Little Pot Rock.”
Ultimately, “Below” captivates by blending horror and suspense with the reality of the climate crisis. McKeown delivers a unique entry in a familiar genre by focusing on the Penney family and their home, addressing the fragility of life, the impermanence of place, and humanity’s smallness in the universe. The series suggests that while change is inevitable, adaptation is the only way forward. “Below” is now streaming on Netflix.
Six episodes under forty-five minutes each sounds perfect. No filler, just a tight thriller that respects my time.
I loved the focus on community dynamics rather than just jump scares. It feels like a fresh take on the creature feature genre.
Charlie Heaton always delivers such intense performances. If he is in this, I am already invested regardless of the plot.
Wait, does the sea monster represent climate change, or is it just a metaphor for grief? I need someone to explain the deeper meaning to me.
Mackenzie Davis joining Josh Hartnett is a casting dream come true. Can’t wait to see them share the screen in this eerie Newfoundland setting.