First Look Revealed for Netflix’s Six-Part Thriller Ahead of October Premiere

The year 2026 is currently experiencing a massive wave of aquatic horror cinema, driven by creature features such as Thrash, Deep Water, The Devil’s Mouth, and Chum. However, Netflix’s upcoming thriller Below appears to be charting a different course, centering on an elusive, highly menacing deep-sea entity that terrorizes an isolated Newfoundland coastal village. Based on the premise, whatever unseen predator is haunting the local inhabitants seems to have an appetite large enough to devour entire houseboats.

This six-part psychological suspense series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Josh Hartnett (Trap, Oppenheimer), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things, The New Mutants), and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven, The Martian). Hartnett steps into the role of Calvin Penney, a resilient local fisherman still carrying the emotional scars of his father’s untimely demise. Heaton portrays Calvin’s troubled son, Wade, while Hartnett’s character acts as the emotional anchor for a community under siege. Meanwhile, Davis joins the narrative as a visiting marine biologist trying to make sense of the chaos.

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Adding to Calvin’s mounting anxieties is the erratic behavior of his son. The promotional trailer features a striking, unexpected moment where an unclad Heaton poses in front of a towering iceberg before abruptly collapsing. It strongly hints that young Wade might share an inexplicable, perhaps subconscious link with whatever lurks in the frigid abyss.

Netflix’s official synopsis for Below sets the stage for the upcoming autumn premiere:

Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett) is a big‑hearted yet steadfast fisherman residing in a tight-knit Newfoundland village, who remains deeply haunted by the unsolved tragedy of his father’s death decades prior. As an unidentified marine monstrosity begins wreaking havoc on his home, Calvin fights tirelessly to preserve his community. Striving to protect his son Wade (Charlie Heaton) and the remainder of his loved ones, he joins forces with an incoming oceanographer (Mackenzie Davis) to confront the beast and unearth the island’s well-guarded secrets before time runs out. Weaving together regional folklore, relentless tension, and subtle wit, this unpredictable six-part limited event series explores profound concepts of kinship, solidarity, and transformation—both harrowing and unavoidable.

The creative vision behind Below belongs to showrunner Jesse McKeown, whose previous writing credits include acclaimed prestige dramas such as Netflix’s The Sinner and The Umbrella Academy.

Below makes its streaming debut on Netflix starting October 8.

Source: Polygon