When people think of shark movies, “Jaws” is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Understandably so, given its iconic status and undisputed No. 1 spot in the shark genre. But since the “Jaws” franchise blessed our screens, there have been numerous attempts at making new shark movies just as thrilling.
Granted, some have sunk without a trace, like “Something in the Water,” “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” and of course, “Sharknado” (which speaks for itself). But others have managed to rise above the surface and deliver tense survival thrills. One prime example is “The Shallows,” which has just landed on Hulu.
Starring Blake Lively and enjoying a decent run at the box office back in 2016, “The Shallows” made the smart decision to focus on one character against a shark, instead of a group of people making dumb decisions in shark-infested waters. Here, we get a taut thriller that sees one woman using all of her strength and surfing knowledge to make it back to shore.
It’s not “Jaws,” and it isn’t anything extraordinary, but you’ll certainly be entertained (and on edge) for 87 minutes. Now that it’s streaming on Hulu, here’s why “The Shallows” is worth adding to your watchlist.
What is ‘The Shallows’ about?
Medical student Nancy (Blake Lively) travels to a remote beach in Mexico to surf at a secluded cove she remembers from her childhood. After catching a wave, she notices a great white shark in the water. A sudden attack leaves her stranded on a small rock about 200 yards from shore. Alone and injured, Nancy must figure out how to survive while the shark circles below.
She improvises with her surfboard and other objects, contending with waves, currents, and her own exhaustion. As the tide changes and the shark continues its relentless pursuit, Nancy uses her wits and physical skill to evade it.
‘The Shallows’ is visceral and engaging
Following one character in a survival thriller means you only care about one thing: whether or not they’ll make it out alive. That’s the biggest reason why “The Shallows” is an engaging watch. The movie doesn’t waste time giving backstories to multiple characters or exploring group dynamics. Instead, it delivers a thriller with one protagonist and one mission. Simple premises like this work precisely because they’re simple.
“The Shallows” follows Blake Lively’s character, Nancy, as she visits a secret beach her mum once surfed at, and it’s a spot that, fittingly, very few people know about. She crosses paths with two men surfing, and that’s about it. But right away, there’s a sense of isolation, because once things go bad, Nancy can’t exactly call for help or alert anyone.
The moments leading up to the attack are pretty intense, from getting knocked off her surfboard to the instant she’s bitten by the shark, which leaves a brutal, visceral wound on her leg. The movie builds tension at just the right pace, and it may feel especially overwhelming for anyone with thalassophobia.
Rewatching “The Shallows,” I found it more visceral than I remembered (I first saw it in theaters back in 2016). One particularly cringe-inducing scene shows Nancy using her earrings and necklace to suture her bite wound, and I even had to look away at times. The same goes for when she accidentally steps on fire coral, having been warned earlier by the men that it “stings like jellyfish.”
This is pretty much a human-versus-nature movie, with Nancy having to survive not just a shark, but the elements around her. During slower moments, you see her bond with a seagull (yes, really) and use her medical background to treat her leg as best she can.
While there’s enough here to keep you invested, you do have to suspend your disbelief a little. This is mainly in the final act, which features some pretty unrealistic action and one kill scene of a man on the beach that doesn’t quite make sense. I’m keen to avoid major spoilers, but anything in the final act should be taken lightly (and, after all, it is a movie).
“The Shallows” also features some dodgy special effects with the shark and a predictable ending, but these are only minor flaws. Lively delivers a realistic (and engaging) performance that makes you root for her and sympathize with her. After watching, you might hesitate to hit the beach for a while.
Stream ‘The Shallows’ on Hulu now
If you’re in the mood for a tense survival story, “The Shallows” delivers just that. Its lean storytelling keeps the focus squarely on Nancy’s struggle, offering suspense with minimal distraction. The natural surroundings feel especially unpredictable and every moment in the water carries a tangible sense of danger. Even with smaller flaws, the movie’s intensity and clever pacing make it a compelling watch.
I’m not alone in my praise either. “The Shallows” has a solid rating of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes from over 200 reviews, with the site’s critics consensus reading: “Lean and solidly crafted, The Shallows transcends tired shark-attack tropes with nasty thrills and a powerful performance from Blake Lively.”
Stream “The Shallows” on Hulu now.
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