Quick verdict: Below is worth watching if you like atmospheric creature horror with family drama, a remote coastal setting, and a story that has more on its mind than a monster attack. The six-episode Netflix limited series has a memorable premise and a strong central performance from Josh Hartnett, but the critical response is not unanimous: some reviewers praise its mood and themes, while others find the pacing uneven and the dialogue or creature-story logic less convincing.
Below arrived on Netflix on October 8, 2026. Set in the Newfoundland fishing community of Snooks Arm, it follows fisherman Calvin Penney as an unidentified sea creature threatens his town and forces him to confront old family trauma, community tensions, and a fight over the town’s future. The show stars Hartnett alongside Mackenzie Davis and Charlie Heaton. Netflix’s official series guide describes it as a six-part thriller about family, community, and change.
What are critics saying about Below?
The early reviews point to a show with a compelling core rather than a universal critical consensus. Rotten Tomatoes’ first-reviews roundup describes critics as generally receptive to the eerie setting, Hartnett’s lead performance, and the series’ social and environmental themes, while noting reservations about pacing and the Newfoundland accents. That split is important: Below is not simply a nonstop monster spectacle. It spends time on the people who live beside the water, and that slower character focus is exactly what some viewers will enjoy—and others may find frustrating.
At the time of writing, review aggregators can change as more critics publish their verdicts. It is better to read the current score together with the actual reviews than to treat a percentage as a final judgment. You can check the latest listings on Rotten Tomatoes’ Below page.
What works best in Below?
1. Josh Hartnett anchors the story
Hartnett plays Calvin Penney, a fisherman burdened by grief and a long-running mystery around his father’s death. His performance gives the show a human center: Calvin is stubborn, protective, and sometimes difficult, but the character’s attachment to his family and community makes the danger feel personal. Rather than playing every scene as a horror hero, Hartnett lets exhaustion and uncertainty show through.
2. The coastal setting creates real tension
The cold water, working boats, weather-beaten buildings, and isolated community are not just a backdrop. They make the threat feel difficult to escape. In a conventional city-set thriller, characters can call for help or leave the neighborhood. In Below, the sea is both the town’s livelihood and the source of its fear. The location gives the show a distinctive texture and helps its quieter scenes carry suspense.
3. The monster story has a bigger idea underneath
The creature is frightening, but the show also asks who gets to decide a community’s future. A corporate buyout and pressure to relocate turn the residents’ survival into an economic and political struggle. The ecological themes—especially the vulnerability of marine life and the consequences of warming waters—give the horror a melancholy edge. The strongest moments connect the impossible creature to recognizable human behavior: greed, denial, grief, and the temptation to exploit what we do not understand.
Where does Below stumble?
The main criticism is that the series sometimes has trouble balancing its different ambitions. The family drama, town politics, environmental message, and creature mystery all compete for screen time. When these strands reinforce each other, the show feels rich; when they pull apart, the pacing can seem lumpy. Some viewers may also find the dialogue and accents distracting, especially if they expect a naturalistic regional drama.
The creature effects and the rules surrounding the mystery may not satisfy everyone, either. Below works best when it allows the ocean to remain frighteningly unknowable. It is less effective when viewers pause to question the mechanics of every plot development. This is atmospheric genre television, not a hard-science investigation—and its success depends on whether its emotional stakes carry you through the less tidy parts.
Is Below worth watching?
Yes—if you want moody, character-driven horror more than a relentless sequence of scares. The six episodes offer a satisfying spooky-season binge for viewers who like isolated communities, ecological unease, and mysteries that leave some shadows intact. If your priority is fast pacing, crystal-clear creature rules, or constant action, the series may feel less consistent.
For a second opinion, Tom’s Guide’s review highlights the show’s bingeable mystery and atmosphere while noting that some subplots and effects are less effective. The official Netflix title page is the place to check availability in your region.
Final verdict
Below is a flawed but distinctive addition to Netflix’s creature-horror lineup. Its best assets are Hartnett’s grounded lead performance, the atmosphere of coastal Newfoundland, and a story that links monster-movie dread to the fate of a working community. Its uneven pacing and occasionally awkward dialogue keep it from being an automatic recommendation for every horror fan, but the premise and emotional stakes make it worth trying.
Bottom line: Stream Below if you like slow-burn mysteries, sea-monster horror, and dramas where the setting matters as much as the threat. Go in expecting an atmospheric limited series—not a perfect, nonstop thrill ride.
Frequently asked questions
Is Below worth watching on Netflix?
Yes, especially for viewers who enjoy atmospheric creature horror, family drama, and environmental themes. Its pacing and dialogue may not work for everyone.
How many episodes are in Below?
Below is a six-episode limited series, according to Netflix’s official series guide.
What is Below about?
The series follows Newfoundland fisherman Calvin Penney as a mysterious sea creature threatens his town, forcing him to protect his family and investigate secrets beneath the water.
What are critics saying about Below?
Early reviews praise its setting, Hartnett’s performance, and thematic ambition, while some critics raise concerns about pacing, accents, and uneven storytelling. Review-aggregator scores can change as more reviews appear.
Will Below get a Season 2?
Netflix describes Below as a limited series, and there is no confirmed Season 2 announcement in the official sources cited here.
Written by Shivam Das. Review roundup based on publicly available early reviews and official Netflix information; scores and critical consensus may change as additional reviews are published.
