Below

In the small coastal village where Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett, Bunraku, TIFF ’10) lives, there’s a long tradition of intimate connection to the sea. Commercial fishery and, more recently, harvesting ice from icebergs that have drifted into the bay, are the backbone of the local economy. It’s a family way of life that Calvin hopes to sustain and pass down to at least one of his children — the wayward Wade (Charlie Heaton, Stranger Things), the adventurous Mary (Ruby Stokes, Where is Anne Frank, TIFF ’21), or the entrepreneurial Jay (Rohan Campbell, The Monkey), home for a visit from his money-making venture in Calgary. 

The family reunion happens as the local townspeople are due to vote on a government initiative for relocation, offering cash for resettlement and creating tension between those who see opportunity, and those who can’t imagine leaving their home. But the debate is put on the back burner when strange events start happening near the harbour: harvested ice starts to exude a strange odour, and a couple of tourists seem to have gone missing. As Calvin seeks the help of local marine biologist Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) in trying to understand what’s happening in the waters, his history on the island becomes something he can no longer ignore. 

Created by Canadian screenwriter Jesse McKeown (The Umbrella Academy), Below strikes a rich balance between the warmth of a close-knit family, steeped in tradition and the genuine love of a place, with the chilly depths of marine monstrousness. As the times change around them, the locals know one thing always remains true: the sea holds many mysteries, and is very, very deep. 

GEOFF MACNAUGHTON

Content advisory: violence, coarse language, frightening scenes