The Shark Movie That Dares to Be Dumb (in the Best Way)
There’s something oddly refreshing about a movie that doesn’t pretend to be smarter than it is. Above & Below, the latest entry in the seemingly endless parade of shark films, is exactly that—a B-movie that embraces its absurdity with open arms. In a year where shark cinema has felt more like a chore than a thrill, this one stands out not because it’s groundbreaking, but because it’s unapologetically fun. And yes, Antonio Banderas is here, chewing scenery as a crime boss, and it’s glorious.
The Premise: A Mess, But Who Cares?
Let’s be honest: the plot is a hot mess. Friends on a diving trip? Check. Criminals on the same boat? Check. Sharks lurking below? Double check. It’s like someone threw The Shallows, The Italian Job, and a Lifetime movie into a blender. But here’s the thing—it works. Personally, I think what makes this particularly fascinating is how the film leans into its own ridiculousness. It’s not trying to be Jaws; it’s trying to be a rollercoaster ride, and it succeeds in that.
What many people don’t realize is that the best B-movies aren’t about logic or depth—they’re about momentum. Above & Below has that in spades. The characters make terrible decisions, the stakes are laughably low, and yet, I found myself grinning through the whole thing. It’s the cinematic equivalent of junk food: not good for you, but satisfying in the moment.
Antonio Banderas: The MVP of Chaos
One thing that immediately stands out is Antonio Banderas’ performance. Fresh off roles that demand more gravitas, he’s clearly having a blast here. His character, Burns, is a criminal mastermind with a twisted sense of humor, and Banderas sells it with every smirk and quip. From my perspective, this is the kind of role that reminds you why actors love their jobs. It’s not about Oscars; it’s about letting loose.
What this really suggests is that sometimes, the best villains are the ones who don’t take themselves too seriously. Burns isn’t a deep character, but he’s entertaining, and that’s more than enough. If you take a step back and think about it, this is the kind of performance that elevates a mediocre film into something memorable.
The Sharks: More of a Side Dish Than the Main Course
Here’s where things get interesting. Despite being a shark movie, Above & Below doesn’t rely heavily on its titular predators. The sharks are more of an obstacle than the main threat, which is… odd. In my opinion, this is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it allows the film to focus on the human drama (or lack thereof). On the other, it feels like a missed opportunity.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how the film treats the sharks. They’re not overly sentient, just hungry—a refreshing change from the overly intelligent monsters we’ve seen lately. But here’s the kicker: more people die from gunshots than shark attacks. It’s almost as if the filmmakers forgot what kind of movie they were making.
The Characters: Dumb, But Endearingly So
The characters in Above & Below are, to put it mildly, idiots. Their decisions are so bad they’re hilarious. Laura Marano’s Tatiana, for example, is supposed to be the competent one, but she comes across as more lucky than skilled. What many people don’t realize is that this is intentional. The film isn’t asking you to root for these characters; it’s asking you to laugh at them.
This raises a deeper question: do we need likable characters to enjoy a movie? Personally, I think no. Sometimes, watching people fail spectacularly is just as entertaining. The key is whether the film owns that failure, and Above & Below absolutely does.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
If you take a step back and think about it, Above & Below is a perfect example of what’s missing in modern genre cinema—a willingness to be silly. Too many shark movies (and horror films in general) try to be serious, and they end up falling flat. This film doesn’t care about being taken seriously; it just wants you to have a good time.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the film balances its tones. It’s campy, but not so much that it becomes parody. It’s tense, but not so much that it becomes scary. It’s a delicate balance, and Above & Below pulls it off better than most.
Final Thoughts: A Guilty Pleasure Worth Indulging
Is Above & Below a great film? Absolutely not. But is it a great time? Without a doubt. It’s the kind of movie you watch with friends, laugh at the absurdity, and forget about the next day. In a world where cinema often takes itself too seriously, this is a breath of fresh air.
What this really suggests is that sometimes, the best movies are the ones that don’t try to be anything more than what they are. Above & Below is a B-movie through and through, and it’s all the better for it. So, if you’re in the mood for sharks, criminals, and Antonio Banderas having the time of his life, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect it to change your life—it’s here to entertain, and that’s more than enough.
