Under Paris

Under Paris, also known as Sous la Seine, is a French action-horror film directed by Xavier Gens. This gripping movie is set to premiere on 5 June 2024 on Netflix. The screenplay was crafted by a talented team including Yannick Dahan, Maud Heywang, Yaël Langmann, and Olivier Torres.

The film stars Bérénice Bejo as Sophia Assalas, a marine biologist who must confront her painful past to save Paris from disaster when a giant shark threatens the city. The movie's budget was around €19.6 million (approximately $20.9 million).

The story begins three years before the events in Paris, where Sophia and her husband Chris are on a mission to locate a tagged shark named Lilith near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Tragedy strikes when Chris and his team are killed by the shark during the mission. This traumatic experience haunts Sophia, impacting her life in Paris, where she now works at an aquarium.

When Sophia learns that Lilith has traveled to the Seine River, she is drawn into a new quest to capture the shark after a man is found dead from shark bites. Despite her warnings, the Mayor of Paris refuses to cancel an important upcoming triathlon, putting the city's residents at risk.

As tension builds, Sophia and a team of divers venture into the city's catacombs to find Lilith. Unfortunately, their plans take a deadly turn when Mika, an environmentalist, is killed while trying to capture the shark. The situation escalates into chaos, leading to a series of calamities that culminate in a catastrophic flood that devastates Paris.

The film has garnered attention for blending environmental themes with thrilling horror elements. Critics have drawn comparisons to the classic shark film Jaws, highlighting its unique setting and approach to the genre. As of the end of June 2024, the film had amassed over 84 million views on Netflix, making it one of the most-watched films of the year.

On review aggregator sites, 63% of critics rated the film positively on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 5.9/10. Metacritic scored it 57 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews.

With its gripping plot and strong performances, Under Paris promises a thrilling experience for viewers. As of November 2024, a sequel is reportedly in development, signaling that the story of Lilith and Sophia may continue.