Netflix's 'Below' Explores Mystery and Peril in Remote Newfoundland
Josh Hartnett stars in the new miniseries about a fishing village grappling with an enigmatic iceberg and a threat from the deep.
The new Netflix miniseries "Below" plunges into the isolated fishing village of Snooks Bay, Newfoundland, in 1986, where residents face a dual threat: government relocation efforts and a mysterious, ominous presence emerging from the sea.
Led by Josh Hartnett as Calvin Penney, a fisherman struggling to keep his family's business afloat, the eight-episode series created by Jesse McKeown explores the deep-rooted ties of the community to their precarious coastal existence. Calvin's own past is marked by tragedy, as he witnessed his father's death in the water 40 years prior when a house was mysteriously submerged. Now, he and his sister Ruth (Willow Kean) resist the Canadian government's attempts to relocate them, while some villagers, like Jan (Natasha Henstridge), are enticed by the offered subsidies.
The arrival of a massive, unnatural blue iceberg in the harbor further complicates matters. While some residents, like Calvin, see potential profit in harvesting the ice for a local vodka distillery, marine researcher Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) grows increasingly concerned. The 10,000-year-old ice carries a strange ammonia scent and hints at containing more than just frozen water.
Adding to the tension are Calvin's estranged children, Mary (Ruby Stokes) and Jay (Rohan Campbell), who return for a village homecoming, and his son Wade (Charlie Heaton), who strives to prove himself as a fisherman. The series blends elements of local character studies with escalating horror, drawing comparisons to "Widow's Bay," the cold-weather thriller "Fortitude," and the creature feature "Tremors."
Hartnett delivers a compelling performance as the ruggedly determined Calvin, anchoring a cast that includes Charlie Heaton as the more free-spirited Wade. The series is noted for effectively establishing its remote setting and character dynamics while building suspense around the encroaching, potentially monstrous threat from the ocean depths. Early warnings and unsettling discoveries suggest a significant confrontation is imminent, with the potential for some characters to become casualties of the unfolding mystery.
The narrative culminates in a startling discovery made by Calvin and Dr. Howander while searching for Wade, who was last seen investigating the mysterious iceberg. Critics have praised "Below" for its intriguing premise, strong performances, and its contribution to spooky seasonal viewing with a unique aquatic twist.