Netflix Series 'Below' Draws Comparisons to 'Jaws' with Giant Squid Threat

Netflix's new miniseries 'Below' has premiered, offering viewers a tale that echoes the suspense of 'Jaws' but with a maritime menace of a different kind: a colossal, boat-crushing squid. Reviewer Roland White likens the series to the iconic shark thriller, noting that while the shark in 'Jaws' waited for swimmers, the creature in 'Below' is far more aggressive, posing a threat even to those near the water's edge.

The series, filmed in the picturesque fishing village of Snook's Arm in Newfoundland, begins in 1986. The narrative centers on the Penney family as they are resettled to the area. A tragic incident occurs when the father, Leo, investigates a snag while towing their home, leading to his demise and leaving his young son, Calvin, traumatized by a fleeting glimpse of a vaguely threatening presence beneath the water.

Forty years later, an adult Calvin, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, now operates a fishing boat. His life takes a disturbing turn when he retrieves an unusual iceberg from the sea. A local scientist discovers the iceberg is not merely ice but solidified mucus from a massive, ancient entity, hinting at a connection to a missing Portuguese fishing vessel and its crew. The mystery deepens with the discovery of a human leg by the coast guard, its bone marrow inexplicably extracted.

Adding to the tension, the villagers are divided over plans for another relocation. Meanwhile, Calvin's sons face their own challenges: one is frustrated with managing Airbnb guests, yearning for the sea, while the other receives menacing text messages. The unfolding events suggest that the picturesque open waters may conceal unimaginable horrors lurking beneath the surface.