TV Review: Below (2026)

Below (2026) created by Jesse McKeown

Calvin Penny (Josh Hartnett) has had a hard life. As a child, his family had to move from a remote fishing village to a less remote village because of a government buyout. The family brought their house on the water but something went wrong. The dad switched from the boat to house to see what's going on. Then the house was dragged underwater by some sort of creature. At least that's what Calvin saw. Now he's a widower in mid-life and the new town is getting bought out by the government again. Calvin doesn't want to leave but most of the locals do. His children come to visit for a town festival. He tries to convince them to move back but things get difficult when it seems like the underwater creature is back. Will the town believe him? Can he beat the creature? And what about the cute scientist he's working with, who staffs the local scientific institute and knows a bit about aquatic life?

If this was a movie, that would be all the complications. But as a miniseries, a lot of side plots are introduced. Each of Calvin's three children have their own issues that get resolved by the end after some tough turns. Calvin's sister, the harbormaster for the town, has a little plot. A science vessel that shows up takes up some of the run time. Even the creature gets some character development. None of these elements are boring but they don't quite hang together as a tight narrative either. I found myself thinking several times, "this is a bit bonkers." But it is the fun kind of bonkers, not the stupid kind. The show is not going to win any big awards (maybe special effects?). It is very entertaining even with some very conventional turns in the last episode. I had a fun time watching it--it's a b-movie in TV miniseries form.

Recommended.

As I publish this, the show is only available streaming on Netflix.