UNDER PARIS on Netflix is a new shark horror movie from France (org. title: Sous la Seine). It starts out quite decent but ends up being all kinds of messy and predictable. Read our full Under Paris (2024) movie review here!
UNDER PARIS on Netflix is a new French shark horror movie (org. title: Sous la Seine). As far as shark horror movies go, the premise is intriguing. It does, however, open with a comment about our oceans’ state, which is then left behind.
The runtime was 1 hour and 41 minutes, but it felt longer. To me, anyway. Also, the horror becomes so predictable and over-the-top. This – combined with gross stereotypes of various kinds – made it come across like a horror-comedy.
Continue reading our Under Paris (2024) movie review below. Find it on Netflix from June 5, 2024.
Something new is under Paris
The story of this new Netflix shark horror movie takes place in the present, which means just before Paris is getting ready to host the 2024 Olympics. The city and its officials are all on high alert as they get ready to have all eyes on them.
In preparing for the Olympics, Paris is hosting the World Triathlon Championships on the Seine for the first time ever. Unfortunately, it appears the Parisian river has a shark problem. Not something anyone ever anticipated.
Sophia is a brilliant scientist who has studied sharks. She learns from the young environmental activist, Mika, that a large shark is currently swimming around deep in the Seine River.
City officials decide to ignore it (much like in Jaws) to avoid bad press, so they must go rogue to avoid a bloodbath.
Sharks in Paris? Sure, why not?!
With Under Paris, you have to accept the core premise that a shark is present in the waters of Paris. The shark is in the Seine and we do get an explanation as to how it came to be there.
Also, the original French title of Sous la Seine means “Under the Seine” which has just resulted in the simple English title of Under Paris.
In any case, if you cannot accept this starting point, then you might as well forget about watching it. I was fine with this idea. Especially due to the explanation which isn’t just a quick line but given some time and detail.
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Besides, shark horror has been all over the place in recent decades. From having sharks inside a tornado in Sharknado to a supermarket in Bait.
Pick a lane, for crying out loud
When Under Paris begins, we’re out in the middle of the ocean near one of the huge “plastic islands” killing life in our oceans. I loved this focus and was hoping we’d stay with it somehow.
However, while it begins with a comment on all the plastic in our oceans, that element is pretty much abandoned as soon as we get to Paris. It is a real shame because it is important and could help explain what comes later.
Also, the politicians in Under Paris are portrayed in such an over-the-top way that we’re borderlining a genre change. Comedy is luring right under the surface, which I am absolutely fine with.
However, then there are the people. I have never seen so many people be so clumsy and falling into shark-infested water simultaneously. It’s like slapstick comedy how people are slipping into the water and pushing one another.
To be honest, this movie changes both its plot focus and core genre so much, that I was left wishing it had picked a lane and stayed with it. At least for the most part.
The ending of Under Paris
Don’t worry, I won’t do spoilers for the Under Paris ending, but I do have to comment that it was bad. As in, this makes less sense with each plot twist or development.
The ending of Under Paris leaves the possibility for a sequel and I have no doubt that Netflix is ready to make one, should this be a hit. And it probably will be a hit, but not due to its many qualities.
Shark horror just touches on something deep inside most of us, which has made for many bad shark horror movies. I was hoping this wouldn’t be one of them, but it is. And the crazy and wild ending really doesn’t help that.
Watch Under Paris on Netflix
The director of Under Paris is Xavier Gens (Mortel, Cold Skin, The Divide) and I was hoping for something more. Something better! I mean, back in 2007, Xavier Gens wrote and directed Frontière(s) which was a crazy French horror movie.
The fact that a whopping six people are credited as writers on this movie surely explains a lot.
The idea comes from Sebastien Auscher while Yaël Langmann and Olivier Torres are credited with “adaption”. Finally, Yannick Dahan (La horde), Maud Heywang, and director Xavier Gens are just listed as writers.
It’s not so much that I feel Under Paris (org. title: Sous la Seine) is a bad shark horror movie. I mean, I really don’t feel that it’s good, but the real issue with this movie is that it’s not very good. Full stop. Not just as a shark movie, but as a film!
Under Paris premieres globally on Netflix on June 5, 2024.
Details
Director: Xavier Gens
Writers: Sebastien Auscher, Yannick Dahan, Xavier Gens
Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, Iñaki Lartigue, Anaïs Parello
Plot
In order to save Paris from an international bloodbath, a grieving scientist is forced to face her tragic past when a giant shark appears in the Seine.
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