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Below
Released

Below

Something ancient is waiting beneath the waters of Newfoundland.

  • 2026
  • Drama, Horror
  • 6 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.3 8.3 / 10

Overview

Below is a six-part Netflix thriller that blends supernatural horror with family drama and environmental concerns. Taking place in the isolated Newfoundland village of Snooks Arm, the show centers on fisherman Calvin Penney, whose already troubled life turns terrifying when a strange creature starts menacing the town. Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin, Mackenzie Davis appears as marine researcher Fonda Howander, and Charlie Heaton plays Calvin's son Wade. Jesse McKeown created the series, which draws on Newfoundland's rough coastline, unique local culture, and remote location to create its mood. Instead of depending solely on monster scares, Below also examines family bonds, community survival, shifting coastal life, and the fallout of environmental upheaval. Every one of the six episodes arrived on Netflix on October 8, 2026.Here is a six-part Netflix thriller that blends supernatural horror with family drama and environmental concerns. Taking place in the isolated Newfoundland village of Snooks Arm, the show centers on fisherman Calvin Penney, whose already troubled life turns terrifying when a strange creature starts menacing the town. Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin, Mackenzie Davis appears as marine researcher Fonda Howander, and Charlie Heaton plays Calvin's son Wade. Jesse McKeown created the series, which draws on Newfoundland's rough coastline, unique local culture, and remote location to create its mood. Instead of depending solely on monster scares, Below also examines family bonds, community survival, shifting coastal life, and the fallout of environmental upheaval. Every one of the six episodes arrived on Netflix on October 8, 2026.

Quick Verdict

This is worth watching if you like supernatural thrillers that blend creature horror with family drama and a vivid sense of place. Josh Hartnett's acting and the Newfoundland backdrop give the series its character, and with only six episodes, it's easy to binge. It works best for viewers who are looking for something beyond a simple monster tale.

Where to Watch Below in the US

Subscription

Last checked: October 8, 2026

Below is a 2026 Canadian supernatural thriller limited series, made by Jesse McKeown and launched worldwide on Netflix on October 8, 2026. Set across six episodes in Snooks Arm, a far-flung fishing village in Newfoundland, the story follows Calvin Penney, a struggling fisherman and single father, as he strives to hold his family together while his hometown confronts a growing and bizarre menace from the sea.

Calvin is portrayed by Josh Hartnett, a man whose life has already been marked by personal loss and the puzzling death of his father. Matters grow more perilous for him once an unknown sea creature starts preying on the community. In time, Calvin joins forces with marine researcher Dr. Fonda Howander, played by Mackenzie Davis, and together they look into whatever is going on beneath the water. Charlie Heaton takes on the role of Wade, Calvin’s son, introducing a tangled family element into the supernatural mystery.

The show, Below, blends creature horror with family drama, regional folklore, environmental issues, and the hardships of a shrinking coastal community. Rather than acting as mere scenery, its Newfoundland location is essential to the narrative, which lends Below its unmistakable maritime mood. Filming for the series took place in Newfoundland and Labrador, and its cast brings together well-known actors alongside local talent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Below a movie or TV series?

Below is a six-episode limited TV series created by Jesse McKeown.

When was Below released?

Below premiered on October 8, 2026, with all six episodes released on Netflix.

Who stars in Below?

Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin Penney, with Mackenzie Davis as Fonda Howander and Charlie Heaton as Wade Penney.

Is Below based on a true story?

No. Below is a fictional supernatural thriller created by Jesse McKeown. Its Newfoundland setting and environmental themes draw from real-world regional and ecological concerns, but the central sea-creature story is fictional.

Story — Spoiler Free

Calvin Penney makes his living as a fisherman in Snooks Arm, a remote community in Newfoundland. Troubled by painful memories and finding it hard to hold his family together, Calvin is pushed to act when odd things start happening around the town. Before long, a mysterious sea creature turns into a grave danger, which leads Calvin to join forces with marine researcher Fonda Howander. As the investigation moves forward, the threat becomes tied to the community's past, its environment, and what lies ahead.

8.3

TheNextHint Score

8.3 / 10

This is worth watching if you like supernatural thrillers that blend creature horror with family drama and a vivid sense of place. Josh Hartnett's acting and the Newfoundland backdrop give the series its character, and with only six episodes, it's easy to binge. It works best for viewers who are looking for something beyond a simple monster tale.

Rating breakdown

Story
8.0
Acting
9.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
9.0
Sound
8.0
Entertainment
8.0

External Ratings

Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.

  • IMDb 6.6 / 10 227 ratings View source Checked October 8, 2026

Pros

  • Strong Newfoundland setting gives the story a distinctive identity.
  • Josh Hartnett gives Calvin emotional weight.
  • Mixes creature horror with family and environmental themes.
  • Six-episode format keeps the story relatively focused.
  • Strong atmosphere and maritime visuals.

Cons

  • Some story elements may feel familiar to creature-horror fans.
  • The environmental themes can compete with the central monster mystery.
  • Viewers looking for nonstop horror may find the family drama slower.

Who Should Watch

  • Supernatural Thriller Fans
  • Horror Fans
  • Drama Lovers
  • Creature-Feature Fans

Who Should Skip

  • Romance-First Viewers
  • Comedy Fans
  • Non-Horror Viewers
Release Date
2026-10-08
Runtime
Approximately 37-47 minutes per episode
Director
Jamie Childs, Helen Shaver, Stephen Dunn
Producer
Jesse McKeown, Jamie Childs, Sharon Hall, Josh Hartnett, Chris Hatcher, Jessica Rhoades, Louise Sutton, Allison White
Writer
Jesse McKeown, Perry Chafe, Karen Walton, Natty Zavitz
Cast
Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, Willow Kean, Ruby Stokes, Rohan Campbell, Kaleb Horn, Natasha Henstridge, Joshua Close, Josh Cruddas, Stephen Oates, Devon Bryan, Darrin Baker, Zerha Leverman, Mary Walsh
Music
Mark Korven
Cinematography
Guy Godfree, Bobby Shore
Studio
Netflix
Distributor
Netflix
Production Company
Pacesetter Productions / Pacesetter UK

Cast & Characters

  • Josh Hartnett

    as Calvin Penney

    A fisherman and single father who becomes central to the fight against the mysterious threat.

  • Mackenzie Davis

    as Fonda Howander

    A marine researcher who works with Calvin to investigate the strange events.

  • Charlie Heaton

    as Wade Penney

    Calvin's son, who becomes involved as the danger develops.

  • Willow Kean

    as Ruth Penney

    A member of Calvin's family.

  • Ruby Stokes

    as Mary Penney

    One of Calvin's children.

  • Rohan Campbell

    as Jay Penney

    Another member of the Penney family.

  • Kaleb Horn

    as Noah

    A member of the local community.

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1 6 episodes October 8, 2026 Airing

Season 1 centers on Calvin Penney and his family while a mysterious sea creature menaces their Newfoundland community. What starts with odd happenings slowly turns into a struggle to survive, pushing Calvin, marine researcher Fonda Howander, and the townsfolk to face a growing threat. Throughout, the season delves into Calvin's difficult past, family ties, environmental shifts, and what lies ahead for Snooks Arm.

  1. 1 Come Home Year

    47 min October 8, 2026

    Calvin welcomes his family home as an unexpected arrival creates trouble in Snooks Arm.

  2. 2 Crown and Anchor

    37 min October 8, 2026

    Calvin joins Fonda to investigate strange events while Wade experiences unsettling dreams.

  3. 3 Sir John Franklin

    40 min October 8, 2026

    Calvin and Wade encounter mysterious newcomers as Fonda warns the community about a growing nautical threat.

  4. 4 The Ocean Will Have Us All

    39 min October 8, 2026

    Calvin becomes involved in a dangerous hunt for the creature while another threat approaches his family.

  5. 5 Little Pot Rock

    41 min October 8, 2026

    Calvin discovers troubling truths about his past as Fonda makes an important discovery.

  6. 6 The Unfathering Deep

    37 min October 8, 2026

    With evacuation underway, Calvin, his family, and Fonda develop a risky plan to save the town.

Trailer

Sources & References

Fact checked by Sakshi Purna Last fact checked: October 8, 2026

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