In the middle of all the thrillers and horror movies out there, there is one subgenre that doesn’t need much to create a genuine sense of fear: shark movies. The idea of stepping into the ocean and realizing that you are no longer in control is terrifying. However, there are several movies like this nowadays (with plenty of sequels as well), and it is actually pretty difficult to find one that can satisfy everyone unanimously. Some films focus on more exaggerated attacks, while others manage to be scary because they portray the ocean as an unpredictable and dangerous place. But among all of them, a few have become completely underrated in the eyes of the public.
We are not talking about those movies that nobody ever talks about, but rather the ones that gained an unfair reputation because of the opinions of people who may not have fully understood where these productions really shine. Not every shark attack movie needs to follow the same formula, because sometimes what works is the situation surrounding the victim. Here are some features that are excellent examples of that.
Dangerous Animals is not a movie that many people have heard of, especially because it is a recent independent film. But those who have watched it were pleasantly surprised because it completely reinvents the formula of the shark movie genre, and does so in a creatively terrifying way. The story follows Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), a surfer who ends up being kidnapped by Tucker (Jai Courtney), a shark-obsessed serial killer who keeps her trapped on his boat while planning one of his most disturbing crimes. So, it is a psychological thriller that uses the ocean as part of the problem. And why can it be considered underrated? Because even though the sea creature is the main threat, there is someone controlling the entire situation.
It is not a classic shark attack movie, and it’s worth mentioning that it’s not necessarily the one that will make you afraid of the ocean itself, especially compared to the other films on this list, but Dangerous Animals‘ horror comes from combining the dangers of the open sea with a human threat that makes the entire situation even more unpredictable. What if the only thing standing between you and a group of sharks was the person who wanted you dead? Besides, it is definitely worth checking out because of Courtney’s incredible performance.
Many movies in this genre are criticized for countless number of reasons, and 47 Meters Down was no exception. The thing is that it may have been judged more harshly than it deserved. Does it have problems? Yes, especially when it comes to some of the screenplay choices, but its premise is so effective that you can understand why it works for people who are afraid of the vastness of the ocean and its creatures. The idea here is to follow Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore), two sisters who go diving in a shark observation cage, but they end up trapped at the bottom of the ocean after the equipment breaks loose. And because of that, expect limited oxygen, poor visibility, and sharks circling in the darkness.
The movie is nerve-wracking — that is the word. And the worst part is that the shark is not the only problem because of the depth; there is simply no “swimming away” when you are dozens of meters below the surface. So, the biggest strength of 47 Meters Down is the way it plays with the anxiety of not knowing exactly where the danger is, of looking into the darkness and imagining something approaching, while every second means less oxygen available. It may not be the best-written shark movie, and that is why people tend to see it as a bad film, but its atmosphere works much better than many people give it credit for.
In Open Water, the story is about Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis), a couple on a diving trip who are accidentally left behind by their boat and are left stranded in the middle of the ocean, with no land nearby and no idea when or if someone will find them. But unlike many shark features, this one does not try to turn the situation into a series of attacks, since the focus is on the desperation of waiting, the realization that they are completely alone, and the inability to do anything to change their situation. It is an extremely simple premise, but that is exactly why it allows the fear to be explored on such a massive scale.
After watching this movie, it is hard to forget it, because it involves a scenario that anyone could easily imagine happening. And it has a different type of fear compared to 47 Meters Down, for example, since while that film explores the panic of being trapped in the depths, this one explores the fear of realizing that the ocean is just too vast and that you are completely on your own. At any moment, danger could appear, and nobody would be there to help. It is a very realistic approach to the genre. However, some people see Open Water as a very slow movie because of that, and therefore misunderstood. Do not expect a lot of pace from it, but that also does not mean it is a bad movie — it is actually far from that.
