Netflix's six-episode limited series 'Below' follows a fisherman in a remote Newfoundland town as he encounters a mysterious threat in the water.
Key facts
- •The series was created by Jesse McKeown, known for his work on 'The Umbrella Academy'.
- •Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin Penney, a widower and fisherman living in the remote community of Snook’s Arm.
- •The story begins with a 1986 prologue where a young Calvin loses his father during a house-moving accident at sea.
- •The plot involves a local vodka company that rejects Calvin's ice haul due to an unusual stench.
- •The show consists of six episodes, with most chapters lasting roughly 40 minutes.
Created by Jesse McKeown, the Netflix thriller 'Below' is a six-episode limited series set in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. The story centers on Calvin Penney, a fisherman living in the struggling community of Snook’s Arm, who is haunted by a childhood tragedy involving a sea-based accident. The series blends elements of a creature feature with a character-driven drama about a community facing economic decline and environmental shifts.
Plot and Setting
The series opens with a 1986 prologue depicting a family attempting to relocate their house by barge across a bay in Newfoundland, a sequence that ends in disaster when a mysterious creature causes the house to sink. Forty years later, the adult Calvin Penney, played by Josh Hartnett, works to support his family by harvesting floating ice for a local vodka company and operating an Airbnb. His life is further complicated by the return of his children, Mary and Jay, for a week-long visit during 'Come Home Year.' As the town of Snook’s Arm faces the threat of disappearing due to population decline, Calvin resists government-sponsored relocation efforts. The situation escalates when his son Wade is involved in an accident and local residents begin exhibiting strange behavior. Calvin eventually teams up with Dr. Fonda Howander, who operates a local science center, to investigate a dangerous presence lurking in the surrounding waters.
Production and Style
The series, which features episodes running approximately 40 minutes each, has been described as a mix of genres that balances grounded, authentic depictions of Newfoundland life with supernatural horror elements. While the show utilizes actual Newfoundland filming locations, it also incorporates computer-generated imagery to depict its creature-based threats. Critics have noted the series' focus on human nature and the challenges of an eroding community. The cast includes Charlie Heaton as Wade, Mackenzie Davis as Dr. Fonda Howander, and Willow Kean as the local Harbor Master, Ruth.
Timeline
- 1986Calvin Penney's family attempts to move their house across a bay, resulting in his father's death.
- Five years before the main storyThe residents of Snook’s Arm vote against accepting government funds to relocate.
- 40 years after the prologueAdult Calvin Penney struggles to maintain his livelihood in the dwindling community.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Hollywood Reporter, Variety.
