Netflix thriller 'Below' sends Josh Hartnett against a sea monster in Newfoundland
Variety reports that Netflix's new six-part limited series "Below" follows a man haunted by his past in a tiny Newfoundland town. The show, created by Jesse McKeown, stars Josh Hartnett as Calvin Penney, a widower and father still tormented by a childhood incident where he had to cut his father's house loose from their boat, leading to his father's drowning.
Forty years later, Calvin lives in the fading fishing community of Snook's Arm with his son Wade, played by Charlie Heaton. The family makes a living collecting ice for a local vodka distillery. The town is preparing for a "Come Home Year" celebration, bringing Calvin's other children back to the island.
Strange events begin to unfold, per Variety's description. Calvin's ice haul is rejected for its foul smell, leading him to a local scientist named Fonda Howander, played by Mackenzie Davis. After Wade is involved in a horrific accident and residents start acting odd, Calvin and Fonda suspect something is wrong in the water. A massive iceberg appears, and Calvin starts to believe it's connected to his father's death.
The Hollywood Reporter calls the series a "likably silly" creature feature that blends horror and suspense. Their review notes the show opens with a striking 1986 prologue of a family moving their house across the water by barge, which ends in disaster when something large attacks. The outlet says this grounded opening allows the rest of the "outlandish" plot to work.
THR describes the present-day story, where the town of Snook's Arm is on the verge of a vote to resettle. Calvin and his family may be the deciding votes against relocation, even as a Portuguese fishing vessel vanishes and oily, smelly ice chunks appear. Limbs begin washing ashore, and marine zoologist Fonda starts to investigate what's lurking beneath the surface.
The series, now streaming on Netflix, consists of six episodes, each under 45 minutes.
