Fear Below

"Fear Below" may start out like your typical man-vs-nature thriller, but somewhere between the vintage wetsuits and the unlikely friendships, it becomes something far more endearing than expected. It's not just a shark movie - it's a story about loyalty, improvisation, and the quiet bonds that form when people are thrown into deep water (literally and emotionally :]

There's a delightful odd-couple energy, and I found myself wanting to see more of their dynamic. By the time the third "act" kicks in, you're not just rooting for them to survive the shark - you want them to open a dive shop/detective agency together and argue over snack choices (or smtn era appropriate)

The film also strikes a rare balance: it's suspenseful but not mean, funny without being cynical, and it has a warmth that's sometimes missing. The 1940s setting adds, and it's the small moments that make it quietly lovable.

Turn this into a series and give each episode a new underwater mission, a fresh moral dilemma, and at least one heartwarming flashback. The world needs more cozy aquatic drama, and 'Fear Below' is the perfect pilot episode!

This is a bad shark movie, so I went in expecting it to be poorly acted, with a really dumb story, and for it to be cheap looking. But much to my surprise this has decent acting, an okay story, and it doesn't look too cheap. But the most important part is the sharks, and in this genre I feel it is very important that the atmosphere should either be scary or goofy. This is neither, your grandma wouldn't be scared and the effects and kills barely register. Meanwhile the characters are nothings and the story is blah.

This completely washed over me without leaving the faintest trace of an impact. I had already forgotten 95% just mere hours later. The worst kind of crappy shark movie: a non-entity.

Needless to say that of course I had to watch the 2025 movie "Fear Below", as there is just something very alluring to me about shark movies. Sure, a great number of the shark movies out there are questionable affairs to be sure, but every now and again there is gold to be found. And without even knowing what I was in for here, as I hadn't heard about "Fear Below" prior to watching it, then maybe director Matthew Holmes was holding a cache of gold here.

Writers Matthew Holmes and Gregory Moss put together a pretty straightforward script and storyline, though it was a bit generic. But ultimately it was an adequate enough storyline. However, the movie didn't really have a lot of actual scenes with the shark, which was sort of disappointing. So you're more in for a crime thriller here, than you are a shark movie.

I was not familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list. But then again, I am not overly familiar with the Australian cinema. The acting performances in "Fear Below" were certainly good. I do enjoy watching unfamiliar and new talents on the screen whenever I sit down to watch a movie, so that was something that spoke well in favor of the movie.

If you enjoy shark movies, then perhaps give "Fear Below" a chance. Just keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of actual shark action throughout the course of the 85 minutes that the movie ran for.

"Fear Below" is hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing.

My rating of director Matthew Holmes's 2025 movie "Fear Below" lands on a five out of ten stars.

I connected with this movie surprisingly fast, even though I'm usually not into diving or underwater-themed films. It kept me engaged the whole time, and I genuinely had a great experience watching it. Clara stood out for me-she's a real fighter and quickly sensed something was off, which added a lot to the tension. The atmosphere, combined with the lurking danger, created some intense and memorable moments without overdoing it. Overall, it's a film worth watching, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys suspense with a sharp edge!

Fear Below is a well-produced film on a technical level, with strong cinematography, solid costume design, and impressive location choices. The visual effects are passable, though it's clear that editing is used strategically to mask a limited budget-particularly when it comes to the shark, which is rarely seen.

The performances are competent, though not standout. Reactions to life-threatening situations, especially during shark attacks, feel flat and unconvincing. The lead actress delivers a convincing British accent, but it still feels strangely forced and disconnected from the setting. Her emotional scenes, particularly when crying, come across as staged rather than authentic.

Unfortunately, the characters themselves aren't compelling enough to carry the story. The mob boss character fails to exude any real menace, and Josh McConville's portrayal of an ethnic character using a European accent feels miscast; an actor of that background would have added needed authenticity. The story lacks depth and tension-it's neither particularly scary nor engaging.

The music score is decent but ultimately forgettable. While Fear Below is competently made, it struggles with weak storytelling and flat character development. For a more impactful and emotionally engaging experience, check out The Cost, the director's previous and much stronger effort.