Autumn evenings are made for stories that unfold by the sea, in fog and wind, with something unknown lurking just out of sight. Netflix has delivered exactly that with Below, a six-part limited thriller set on the rugged coast of Newfoundland. All episodes went live worldwide on October 8, which means there is no need to wait from week to week. In Central Europe the series became available in the morning, so a long weekend binge is entirely possible.
The setup is simple and effective. Josh Hartnett plays Calvin Penney, a local fisherman whose quiet community is shaken when an unidentified creature starts causing havoc in the surrounding waters. To protect his family he joins forces with marine researcher Fonda Howander, played by Mackenzie Davis, while Charlie Heaton appears as his son Wade. The further they look, the clearer it becomes that the town is hiding more than an animal beneath the surface.
What makes the show interesting is its blend of genres. Rather than a straightforward monster story, it mixes thriller elements with family drama and local legends. With episodes of around forty-five minutes, the whole series fits into one long evening, and the timing ahead of Halloween suits its eerie but not overly gory mood.
The Xaldris preview of Below explains the cast, the creator, release times for different regions and the place the series takes in Netflix’s October line-up. We have listed it in our directory today because it is a handy starting point before pressing play.
For viewers who enjoy coastal mysteries with strong characters, Below looks like one of the more promising releases of the month. The Newfoundland setting, with its weather, isolation and seafaring traditions, gives the story a distinct atmosphere that is worth experiencing on a cosy, rainy night.
