Underwater (2020) is a claustrophobic, high-pressure sci-fi horror thriller directed by William Eubank. It throws audiences deep into the Mariana Trench, where survival means dealing with not only the crushing ocean depths but also something far worse lurking in the darkness. Let’s dive into the movie with all the details, from plot to production.
Detailed Summary
The Disaster Begins
The film starts with Norah Price (Kristen Stewart), a mechanical engineer working at the Kepler 822 drilling station at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Within the first few minutes, disaster strikes: the station suffers a massive breach, forcing Norah and other surviving crew members to seek a way out before the whole structure collapses under pressure. This quick escalation immediately sets the tone: no slow build, just straight into survival horror.
The Crew’s Struggle for Survival
Norah teams up with Captain Lucien (Vincent Cassel), Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie), Emily (Jessica Henwick), Smith (John Gallagher Jr.), and Paul (T.J. Miller). Together, they plan to walk across the ocean floor to reach the Roebuck Station, a nearby outpost that still has functioning escape pods. This section of the film highlights their desperation, the terrifying environment, and the sheer hopelessness of being so far below the surface.
First Encounter with the Unknown
On their journey, they encounter strange, humanoid creatures—deep-sea monsters seemingly awakened by the drilling operation. One by one, crew members are picked off in shocking and often gruesome ways. Rodrigo dies early when his helmet cracks under the pressure, and Paul meets a similarly brutal end later.
Discovering the Truth
As they press forward, the surviving members realize the creatures are not isolated animals but part of a larger ecosystem. Even worse, the drilling seems to have disturbed something massive lurking in the depths.
The Revelation of the Behemoth
Eventually, it’s revealed that the smaller creatures are like parasites or offspring of something colossal. The real threat is a gargantuan, ancient deep-sea monster—a clear nod to Cthulhu from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythology. This revelation elevates the horror from a simple creature feature to cosmic terror.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
In the finale, only Norah, Emily, and Smith make it to the Roebuck Station. Unfortunately, only two escape pods remain functional. Norah makes the ultimate sacrifice: she forces Emily and Smith into the pods and stays behind. As they ascend toward the surface, Norah watches the monstrous leviathan approach.
Realizing she cannot allow the creature to follow or destroy the survivors, Norah overloads the station’s core reactor. The resulting explosion kills both her and the massive creature, ensuring Emily and Smith escape safely to the surface.
The ending leaves Emily writing a report about the incident, warning that Tian Industries—the company responsible for the drilling—may attempt to cover up the events. The final shots imply that humanity’s greed may lead to further disasters beneath the ocean.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Underwater does not have a post-credits scene. However, the closing credits include snippets of fake newspaper clippings and reports hinting at the corporation’s cover-up and possible plans to continue drilling—adding an unsettling layer of realism.
Type of Movie
Underwater is a sci-fi horror thriller. It blends deep-sea survival drama with Lovecraftian cosmic horror, creating a suffocating, tense atmosphere.
Cast
- Kristen Stewart as Norah Price
- Vincent Cassel as Captain Lucien
- Jessica Henwick as Emily Haversham
- John Gallagher Jr. as Liam Smith
- Mamoudou Athie as Rodrigo Nagenda
- T.J. Miller as Paul Abel
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Marco Beltrami and Brandon Roberts, both known for atmospheric and tension-heavy soundtracks. The music combines industrial sounds, deep drones, and suspenseful crescendos, perfectly matching the claustrophobic underwater setting.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily on soundstages in New Orleans, Louisiana. The underwater environment was created with massive water tanks, set pieces, and heavy CGI. The confined sets were deliberately designed to increase the sense of claustrophobia for both the cast and the audience.
Awards and Nominations
While Underwater didn’t win major awards, it received recognition for its visual effects and production design in smaller genre circles. The film has since gained something of a cult following among fans of cosmic horror.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Kristen Stewart shaved her head for the role, giving Norah a raw, survivalist aesthetic.
- The production involved extremely heavy suits designed to look like deep-sea exoskeletons. Each suit weighed over 100 pounds, making physical movement a genuine challenge.
- The creature designs were heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s work, especially The Call of Cthulhu.
- Director William Eubank intentionally avoided long exposition, dropping the audience straight into the disaster to mimic the characters’ panic.
Inspirations and References
- H.P. Lovecraft was the major influence, particularly Cthulhu Mythos.
- The film also nods to classics like Alien (1979) and The Abyss (1989), both in its tone and its “crew trapped in hostile environment” structure.
- Themes of corporate greed destroying nature mirror works like Avatar and Aliens.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No official alternate ending was released, but early drafts reportedly included a more ambiguous fate for Norah, leaving her survival uncertain. Deleted scenes mainly expanded on crew interactions, offering more depth to Emily’s character and Lucien’s backstory.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not based on a book but heavily influenced by Lovecraft’s cosmic horror writings. Unlike typical adaptations, it doesn’t spell out the mythology but leaves hints for fans to pick up on.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening station collapse sequence, which immediately drops the audience into chaos.
- The first death—Rodrigo’s helmet cracking—setting the grim tone for the rest of the movie.
- Norah discovering the monstrous, Cthulhu-like titan rising from the depths.
- The final sacrifice scene, where Norah overloads the reactor.
Iconic Quotes
- Norah: “You have to learn to breathe again.”
- Captain Lucien: “We drill too deep. We’re not supposed to be down here.”
- Norah (final monologue): “Even in the darkest places, you can find hope.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The design of the monster closely resembles Lovecraft’s description of Cthulhu, though never named outright.
- Newspaper clippings during the credits mention Tian Industries’ history of cover-ups, a nod to Weyland-Yutani from Alien.
- The crew’s suits were inspired by NASA spacesuits, reflecting the similarity between space and deep-sea exploration.
Trivia
- Kristen Stewart’s performance was praised as one of her most intense roles since Personal Shopper.
- The film was delayed for years due to Disney acquiring 20th Century Fox.
- The movie’s tagline, “7 miles below the ocean surface, something has awakened,” was directly inspired by Lovecraftian phrasing.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy survival horror, cosmic terror, and nerve-wracking claustrophobic tension, Underwater is a hidden gem. It’s especially recommended for fans of Alien or Lovecraft-inspired horror who crave a modern spin on deep-sea dread.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Signal (2014)
- Love (2011)
