Under Paris is a French shark movie created by a renowned director, Xavier Gens, who has incorporated all three intriguing elements: horror, thriller, and mystery in a single movie.
The storyline picks up pace after a brilliant scientist in Paris, Sophie, learns about the shark, which increases the probability of a bloodbath and puts everyone’s lives at risk.
Highlights
- Under Paris, the thriller will be released on Netflix on June 5, 2024.
- The movie faced a takedown threat amid the original story lawsuit, and the initial hearing of the case is on June 14.
- Although Under Paris is set to release according to the prior plan, the movie’s suspension depends on the case’s ruling.
Well, the timeframe in which the movie is set is quite daunting. During the summer’s most busy season, when The World Triathlon Championships is just around the corner, the news of a shark being present in the Seine River breaks out.
Sophia embarks on the journey of protecting the people from a bloodbath as she joins hands with the Seine River police commander, Adil.
The question is how will Sophia fight against the vicious creature thirsty for human blood. Will she win or succumb to the tragedy that fate has thrown her way?
| Disclaimer: This review is based on a viewer’s perspective and does not represent any official endorsement or critique. |
Under Paris: A Polarizing Film That Sparks Diverse Critical Opinions
Under Paris (2024)
In the summer of 2024, as Paris hosts its first World Triathlon Championships on the Seine, scientist Sophia, activist Mika, and river police commander Adil must team up to prevent a potential shark attack in the city’s heart.
Genres
Thriller Horror Action| Release Date | June 5, 2024 |
| Casts | Nassim Lyes Bérénice Bejo Anaïs Parello |
| Writers | Xavier Gens Yannick Dahan Sebastien Auscher |
| Directors | Xavier Gens |
The movie has received mixed reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
One of the critics named, Matt Donato, rated the movie 3.5 out of 5 and wrote:
Under Paris isn’t the most sensible shark-attack horror example, but it’s thankfully more than just a goofy “mako in the Seine” idea that belongs on the SYFY channel.
Although he didn’t think that the movie was one of the best of the genre, he didn’t find it to be a mess either.
Here is a quick glimpse of the upcoming movie:
On the contrary, another critic rated the movie 4/5 and commented,
Under Paris is the best shark movie since Jaws.
Thus, so far, some of them have loved it, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with how the movie has been produced.
Netflix’s Under Paris Could Do Much Better If The Elements Were Blended Homogenously
Honestly, I was highly looking forward to Under Paris because the plot and the trailer seemed really appealing.
It was all about how well the content was driven, but it was not as good as I had anticipated.
As a viewer who loves watching thriller horror movies that include predators and the survival element, I was disappointed with the way the movie turned out.
It was a wonderful representation of how a brilliant idea can be ruined if improperly executed.
I was expecting a realistic take on the concept that would be different from the rest of the movies in the same genre.
But to my surprise, neither the characters were portrayed well nor the brutality of the shark attack was fully demonstrated.
As the story progressed, the thrill was lost somewhere in the middle, and if you ask me, I would prefer to dive into the element rather than just have the taste and be done with one single bite.
Sophia’s near-death experience with sharks was introduced at the end, setting the stage for us to understand the character better and resonate with why she was so willing to prevent the probable blood bath.
The messaging of ecological disturbance was the center point of the film, an attempt to convey the message of the adverse consequences of human activities on the ocean, wildlife, and humans themselves.
Personally, I understand and admire what the writers were aiming for; however, the cue cards were scattered all over the place.
The depiction of the planet nearing its demise with the massive blame on humanity made things go south as the rest of the parts were played with a straight face, with much sincerity and seriousness.
In this context, the mismatch of silliness and sincerity made it look like the combination of sugar and salt in a home-baked chocolate cake.
If the pace had been a little better and the logic and science behind why sharks were getting closer to human residence had been explored a little more deeply, the movie would be as good as Deep Blue Sea or Shark Night 3D, with an upgrade in its engaging part.
One of the things that I loved about the movie was the cinematography and underwater photography, which were carried out with utmost diligence and could even cover up for the shortcomings that followed.
By the end, the insanity portrayed did accumulate to a degree of sufficiency, making things right.
The possibility of a second season seems promising on how the journey would uncover intriguing possibilities.
However, in my opinion, the sequel will have potential only if a more grounded approach is taken that reaches the depth of emotions or if the silliness is entirely embraced.
Bérénice Bejo as Sophia: A Warrior Fighting Inner Battles to Protect Others
The French-Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo portrays Sophia, the excellent marine researcher who is the movie’s protagonist.
The movie also included a sneak peek at her back story that made the viewers appreciate the desperation and fear she had throughout the journey.
The actress nominated as the Best Supporting Actress of the Year at the Golden Globes has the potential to grasp the audience’s attention and make them feel the emotions she portrays. And she did that pretty well through Sophia.
As a viewer, I think her character brings a compelling blend of strength, vulnerability, and complexity to the narrative.
Sophia is an integral part of the story, serving as a key figure who influences the lives of those around her, particularly the other protagonist, Adil.
Bejo has done an outstanding job in presenting Sophia’s inner strength, pinpointing her ability to endure and overcome adversity with optimism.
It was fascinating to see her play the role of a warrior who tries her best to face her own demons and save the Parisians from the grip of a murderous shark, Lilith.
Leaving aside the storyline, which requires a mindful modification in the script, I didn’t see any issues in her acting.
The immense growth that she has shown as an actor made me wonder if any other actor would have been able to play Sophia as well as Benjo did.
Now, as we have seen her best performance till now, every time Bérénice’s name is mentioned, I can’t help but picture Sophia in my head.
I guess this is the kind of impact that actors leave through their art.
